Every month, the Infrastructure Planning and Facilities at MSU releases Construction Junction, a presentation to update the public on the major construction projects around campus.
Here is an overview of what was in the October presentation, along with background knowledge of each of the projects.
Wilson Road extension project
The Wilson Road extension project started in December 2017, with construction breaking ground in March 2018. The project will add an entrance to campus off of Hagadorn Road north of Service Road, doubling the number of entrances on that side of campus.
In September, Parking Lot 112 at Conrad Hall was officially opened to the public and trees were planted along a portion of the new Wilson Road.
Early in the month, the Michigan Infrastructure Transportation Association, who represents the contractors, and the union of Operating Engineers Local 324 fell into a labor dispute, causing road work around the state to come to a halt.
Work on the Wilson Road extension was subject to the holdout, coming to a standstill for over three weeks. The city of East Lansing and MSU were not able to have any input in the negotiations.Eventually, the dispute was settled, and the project was back to full staff as of Oct. 1.
Even with the three week delay, the project is still on track to be complete by the previous timeline of Nov. 15.
Various pedestrian and vehicle detours will be active until Nov. 15.
Eli Broad College of Business Pavilion
The new Eli Broad College of Business Pavilion is a $62 million construction project underway on campus. Largely funded by gifts to the Eli Broad College of Business, the project has a completion date of July 2019.
This September, interior finish instillation was completed, along with a continuance of painting interior spaces. Preparation for the east courtyard area has begun as well.
Pedestrians can expect some of the sidewalks around the construction area to remain closed.
Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building
The construction of the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building, or ISTB, is part of an initiative to aid and support significant growth of STEM-related fields at MSU.
When completed, the building will provide modern teaching and research spaces necessary to support growth in the STEM fields. The ISTB will be home to laboratories, computational research spaces, offices and collaborative spaces.
In the past month, the steam service was turned on, the loading dock and generator concrete pads were poured and the generators were delivered.
Traffic on Service Road will continue to be heavy, with product delivery continuing throughout the month.
Facility for Rare Isotope Beams
The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB, is inching toward completion. The U.S. Department of Energy noted it wants to start providing operational funding in 2018, rather than 2022, as originally planned.
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High Rigidity and Isotope Harvesting Experimental Vault
Progress was made on the High Rigidity and Isotope Harvesting Experimental Vault, with the previous building demolished and the abandoned tunnels removed.
The caissons, a watertight chamber used for underwater construction work, are nearly complete and foundation installation was set to begin this month.
Along with the High Rigidity and Isotope Harvesting Experimental Vault, the FRIB Cryogenic Assembly Building is also being worked on.
New water distribution system
With concerns voiced about MSU’s quality of water, the university has begun work on a new water distribution system.
A new 2 million gallon elevated water storage tank is under construction, and a new nearly 12,000 square foot water treatment plant is in the works.
Around 80 percent of the approximately 3,000 feet of underground piping needed to connect the new water plant and tower to campus, and the potable water distribution systems were laid.
A total of 114 concrete pilings that will support the 2 million gallon tank are now complete, and the piling cap was set to be poured in early October.
College of Music Building
The Music Building on campus is receiving its third addition, its first since 1956. Many capital improvements are being made, including the installation of new windows.
The most recent news on the Music Building is the demolition of the old Hart Recital Hall. Mass excavation of the site has started.
Wharton Center seats
The seats in the Wharton Center’s Cobb Great Hall and the Pasant Theatre were replaced during the summer.
