Projects closer to completion

While students ventured away from campus to enjoy three weeks of freedom, construction on campus continued to ensure that projects will finish on time.

Warm weather and a decrease in student activity allowed construction to continue on schedule, said Bruce Runberg, associate vice chancellor for planning and construction.

“(It’s been) very peaceful and quiet around campus,” Runberg said.

Utility roadwork, including construction on sidewalks and roads, was much easier since there was not much traffic, added Ed Willis, director of construction management.

Construction of a utility infrastructure upgrade to support the new northeast chiller plant and parking deck will close Cameron Avenue to through traffic between Raleigh Street and South Columbia Street starting Monday. Through traffic is expected to resume on Cameron in May.

The parking deck will be built off Country Club Road behind the Center for Dramatic Art, the Paul Green Theater and Cobb Residence Hall.

Several other projects are scheduled to finish this semester, including the Rams Head Center and additions to Carrington Hall and the School of Public Health building.

The Rams Head Center — a mixed-use dining and recreation facility being built near Kenan Field House — is slated to finish between late February and the first week of March, Runberg said. He added that while the dining services section of the center will be in place, the recreation space will take longer to finish.

“There is so much work, it’s essential that we focus on food services,” Runberg said. Finishing the Rams Head dining hall is a top priority because Chase Hall is scheduled to be demolished in March.

Construction on the Public Health building on South Columbia Street should finish in February, and the addition to Carrington Hall, which houses the School of Nursing, is scheduled to be completed at the beginning of April, Willis said.

He also said the modernization of Cobb should be finalized by early summer.

Other projects that are moving forward include phase two of the South Campus residence hall project and student family housing on Mason Farm Road.

Runberg said the $1.3 billion construction program is one of the largest in the country for a university.

Willis said the various construction projects could be hindrances to students but added that they will ultimately be worthwhile.

“We know it’s disruptive, and we do our best to accommodate problems,” he said. “Bear with us as we build a bigger, better campus.”

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.