Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--Taking advantage of reduced traffic during Mississippi State's March 11-19 spring break, university officials said work crews will move ahead with several street construction projects now under way.
"We want to make good use of the time when no classes are scheduled so that we minimize disruptions to campus," said Jim Jones, executive director of facilities.
In the last week, facilities management employees and local contractors have added a temporary connection at President's Circle in the area where Bully Boulevard eventually will be extended, Jones said. "This change will provide a safer and smoother flow of traffic from the parking lot area surrounding the university's tennis courts."
Other changes planned for the spring break period and beyond include:
--Demolition of the President's Circle building formerly housing the philosophy and religion department. The two-story wooden structure is being removed to accommodate extension of Bully Boulevard, planned for the summer.
--Closing a portion of Creelman Street from Dorman Hall to just past B.S. Hood Street to allow construction of a three-lane thoroughfare. The area will remain closed from March 13 through the end of the summer semester.
--The west Hilbun Hall and tennis court parking lots will close March 11 to be overlaid and re-striped. They will reopen March 20.
During construction, suggested alternate routes to campus include Bully and South Stone boulevards, Hardy and College View streets, and the four-lane north entrance road.
"There also are many other campus improvement projects in progress," Jones said. "We appreciate the patience and understanding of the campus community as we work toward completion. (See http://www.msstate.edu/dept/physplant/cp2006/cp2006.htm.)
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, telephone Jones at (662) 325-5830 or Peter Rook at 325-1860.