Utility work to close Observatory Drive east of Babcock Drive

Continuing work on central campus utilities will force the closure of Observatory Drive just east of Babcock Drive beginning today (Monday, Sept. 12) and continuing through early November, officials say.

During construction, westbound Observatory Drive will dead-end at the Soils Building/Ag Bulletin driveway. Trucks larger than delivery vans should not proceed west of Charter Street on Observatory Drive because of a lack of room for turning around.

Entry to Lot 38 will be maintained, although utility work will cross the driveway and will be limited to one-lane just west of the Ag Bulletin Building.

Vehicle access north on Babcock Drive – to Lots 32, 34, residence halls and the Porter Boathouse – will be via Linden Drive to Elm Drive near the Horse Barn, then north to Observatory, then east past Lot 36 and Allen Centennial Gardens.

Access to points north on Elm Drive, such as Lot 58, the J.F. Friedrick Center, and residence halls, will be from Linden, as it was all summer.

Utilities crossing Observatory just east of Babcock will be phased across the intersection. Pedestrian access will always be possible through the area, though east-west foot travel will require a detour around the north side of the intersection.

Utilities will also extend from this intersection to Ag Bulletin’s basement. Southeast-bound foot traffic to the Soils/Hiram Smith area and beyond should use the crosswalk and sidewalk between Soils and Ag Bulletin.

The work is part of the Central Campus Utility Project, which will upgrade utilities that supply buildings with steam, chilled water and electric power. Adding to the disruption in the area is the construction of the Microbial Sciences Building on Babcock Drive, between Observatory Drive and Linden Drive.