Construction on Locsut Walk began this summer and was slated to be completed by Sept. 30. While work on the 3600 block was completed five days ahead of schedule on Aug. 26, construction on the 3800 and 3900 blocks suffered major delays due to heavy rains and damage to two storm sewers.
Credit: Christina Wu , Christina WuConstruction on Locust Walk, initially slated to be completed by Sept. 30, will instead continue into the end of the semester.
The construction was delayed due to a record amount of rain in August and two instances where the storm sewer under the Walk collapsed, said Edward Sidor, director of Design & Construction Management at Facilities and Real Estate Services.
The 3800 block will now be completed by Oct. 30 and the 3900 block on Dec. 1.
Though the Philadelphia Water Department assessed the storm sewer before the project began, the sewer’s age and additional strain from the construction meant that it had to be rebuilt.
Rainy weather in August also presented difficulties. Despite precautions, Hurricane Irene — which brought torrential rains and high winds to campus last weekend — caused flooding near the 38th Street bridge, Sidor said. He added that the construction team is working extended hours and on Saturdays to make up for lost time.
Two men with water removal pumps were stationed on site during the hurricane to prevent major damage, according to Sidor.
When the Walk is fully refurbished next year, it will feature new brick and a water main to service nearby buildings.
The 3600 block — which was completed on Aug. 26, five days ahead of schedule — is equipped with a new gas line, chilled water line and electric conduit for holiday and event lighting.
Construction was supposed to begin last summer, but delayed regulatory approval pushed back construction for the $5.4-million project.
In order to adapt to the large number of students who will be returning to campus in the coming week, the construction team has laid concrete on parts of the Walk, created a temporary boardwalk between Harrison and Rodin college houses and built wider boardwalks to accommodate move-in carts.
The bulk of the “noisy work” — including excavating the Walk to install water mains and the storm sewer — has been completed, Sidor said, adding that the construction team is working closely with the Provost’s office and the Division of Public Safety to ensure students’ safety.
“It’s all about our planning and trying to communicate what we know to students,” Douglas Berger, executive director of Business Services, said of the altered move-in routes for Harnwell and Rodin college houses.
To ease the process, Business Services worked with Penn Police and the city’s Parking Authority to provide more parking around the perimeter of Hamilton Village, the area from 38th to 40th streets between Spruce and Walnut streets. A free move-in shuttle between the high rises and parking garages on 34th and Walnut streets will be provided in lieu of golf carts on the Walk.
Nursing sophomore Katie Gallagher, who lives in Rodin, said she might “leave a couple minutes earlier for classes,” but added that she does not believe students will frequent Hamilton Village any less. On the other hand, College sophomore Stephen Wang said he anticipated less traffic in the area.
College sophomore Cydney Gillon recently moved from Harrison to Dubois college house and stressed how much longer it took to walk from building to building. “Wherever the construction is not is where I’ll be,” she said.
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