Utility work to close section of Babcock Drive

Work to prepare the university’s utility infrastructure for the West Campus Cogeneration Facility will close a small section of Babcock Drive near its intersection with University Avenue for 2-3 weeks beginning Wednesday (Oct. 29).

The street will remain open to buses, emergency vehicles and bicycles.

The project to install an underground cable and manhole was first expected to only close one lane. The plan was changed once crews examined the location of existing utility lines and where the work will occur.

“We had hoped to only close one lane so that passenger vehicles could still get through,” John Harrod, physical plant director, says. “However, to do the work safely, we will have to close both lanes.”

University Avenue traffic that normally enters campus on Babcock Drive will be rerouted to the east lane of Henry Mall, which travels northbound. Bicyclists and motorcyclists will not be permitted to park in the Henry Mall roadway during construction.