From the intersection of South Donahue Drive to the intersection of Woodfield Drive, the inside north and southbound lanes of South College Street are mired in traffic cones and construction.
The project’s goal is to add utilities, street improvements and landscaped medians on South College Street to improve the aesthetics of the corridor and act as a traffic facilitator, said Ben Burmester, Auburn University campus planner.
“As a part of this project, a new pedestrian crosswalk and pedestrian signal will be installed across College Street and Woodfield Drive to connect to the new walks being installed at the Gogue Performing Arts Center,” Burmester said.
The construction has been an issue for students and others who are trying to make their way to-and-from the campus or downtown area.
“I struggle with the roadwork,” said Joseph McGlawn, a senior in communications that lives off of South College Street.
He said he understands the necessity for the road work, but was frustrated that all the construction seemed to be occurring at peak traffic hours.
“Big cities work late at night when the roads are being used the least. If we want to grow and become a big city, then we should act like one and complete the roadwork between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.,” he said.
Burmester recommends that all drivers take precautions and follow the signage and traffic control devices during construction. In addition, once the center is built and events begin, the majority of event traffic will not align with the existing morning and afternoon peak times.
The two outside lanes on South College Street are expected to remain open during the majority of construction.
This estimated $1.2 million project is a collaboration between the city and the University. The city is funding the project, but the University is overseeing the construction as a part of the Gogue Performing Arts Center construction.
“The goal was to utilize the same design team and contractors from the University’s project to maintain any design consistencies and allow for less impact to campus and city with only one contractor working at this location,” Burmester said.
The construction is anticipated to finish in July, prior to the opening of the center.
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