Students hoping for a break from the harsh winds between the High Rise dorms will have to wait a little longer for relief.
Work on the landscaping project outside the high-rise dormitories will be halted this afternoon in order to provide a quiet study environment for final exams. The project is slated for completion on Jan.6 -- over two weeks later than originally planned.
The project involves creating new walking paths between the high rises and between Harrison House and Locust Walk. The project began at the beginning of the semester and was supposed to end this week.
As of now, "the landscape project, not including the planting, is approximately 85 percent completed," Facilities and Real Estate spokesman Tony Sorrentino said.
Sorrentino added that the only work that is left to be done before the fence can be removed and the area can be opened is to finish installation of brick pavers in the new walks.
"We were hoping to be a little further ahead of schedule, but cold weather and recent snow has slowed progress a bit," Sorrentino said.
Construction on the 39th and Locust streets project will resume on Dec. 22, after final exams end.
"We're stopping the work so that students will be able to study," Director of Design and Construction for Facilities and Real Estate Services Darrin Reazor said.
In addition, trees and new grass will be planted in order to reduce the wind effects of what has come to be known as the "wind tunnel."
Sorrentino said that work will be stopped at the end of the day today. The construction portion of the project will be completed in January, but the landscaping and planting will continue through the spring semester. The schedule for the spring will be determined by the weather.
Reazor said that inclement weather was largely responsible for this semester's delays. Workers stopped construction for two weeks during snow and rain.
"As soon as the fence comes down, most of the areas in front of Harrison as well as the walkways will be fully accessible except for some specific locations," Reazor said.
The work has necessitated a fence at 39th and Locust Streets that has forced Harrison residents to walk around it to access Locust Walk.
