Southeast begins summer construction along campus shuttle route

Barricades block a section of Greek Drive near Southeast Missouri State University's science complex. Students and faculty have to take a different route to get to classes this summer on the north end of the campus.

But school officials say any summer inconvenience will be more than offset by improvements to the shuttle route, including construction of two new pavilions to shelter students waiting for shuttle buses and changes to a part of Circle Drive near Academic Hall.

"The goal is to get it done this summer," said Keith Kimmel, construction project manager for the university's facilities management department. Doing the project now will inconvenience the fewest students, he said.

The $420,000 project is expected to be completed by Aug. 2, Kimmel said.

A normally one-way section of Greek Drive that connects to New Madrid across from the Student Recreation Center has been converted temporarily to two-way traffic so students and faculty can get to classes in that area of campus. The parking lot that serves the science complex remains open.

Construction has begun on improvements to Greek Drive where one of the new bus stop shelters will be built. Other improvements include new pavement and construction of a sidewalk with brick-styled paving blocks that will run from the science complex to the pavilion.

Across campus

Construction will begin soon across campus on Circle Drive, as well.

Circle Drive will be realigned on its east end to intersect with Pacific Street rather than its current connection a short distance away on Normal Avenue in a move to improve traffic safety, school officials said.

Circle Drive currently empties into Normal Avenue at the Pacific and Normal streets intersection, resulting in a confusing, five-way intersection.

A new sidewalk will be built along the realigned section of Circle Drive. Like the rest of the shuttle route sidewalks, it will be built of brick-like paving blocks.

A bus stop pavilion will be constructed in the grass island in the small parking area beside Carnahan Hall. In addition, Circle Drive near Carnahan Hall will be widened to better handle two-way traffic, Stoverink said.

Even after Circle Drive is improved, its use will be largely limited to shuttle buses, service vehicles, some of the executive staff and motorists with handicapped parking permits.

"It will not be a major thoroughfare," Kimmel said.

Federal funding will pay 80 percent of the cost of the construction project. The university will pay the other 20 percent. Nip Kelley Equipment Co. of Cape Girardeau is doing the work.

The campus master plan envisions closing off the west end of Circle Drive at Henderson Avenue next to the art building, relocating the parking and developing a green space.

Circle Drive will remain open as an entrance and exit to the metered parking area, Stoverink said.

The project this summer on the other end of Circle Drive won't change traffic flow behind Academic Hall, he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123