Logistical Implications of the Engineering/parkade Project
Posted on April 02, 2009
You may be aware that the University Council has approved a major facility expansion project for the School of Engineering as well as the construction of a parking garage for approximately 1000 cars. The combined structure will be situated on the location of the current parking area behind the Aula. A new entrance is also necessary to accommodate the traffic volumes and security requirements of such a large parking garage. This entrance will be constructed to the immediate south of the Heavy Machinery Laboratories in University Road. It is obvious that a construction project of this nature and magnitude will have serious implications for traffic and campus logistics in general.Mass excavations are scheduled to start on the 4th of May this year with the likely completion date for the whole project in the first semester of 2011. Smaller preparation works to move IT and other services are currently in progress.
Impact on vehicle traffic and access to the campus:
It will be necessary to close the Ring Road for the duration of the project in the vicinity of the construction site at the southern entrance to Parking Area H8 as well as at a point between the Engineering II Building and the Aula complex. Turn-around routes will be provided at the existing bus round about as well as at the existing University Road entrance. Two construction phases are planned.
Phase 1: (4 May - 31 May 2009) Click here to see Annexure 1 Senate Road will be closed from the Ring Road to the point where it turns south and runs parallel to University Road. At this point a temporary construction entrance for trucks will be opened in the fence. Mass earth removal will be affected along this route while the excavation of the new entrance to the south of the Heavy Machine Laboratories is in progress.At the same time the north-eastern section of Senate Road will be relocated and rebuilt. A temporary road to connect the relocated Senate Road to the Ring Road will also be constructed. During this phase Senate Road around the Administration Building will be completely cut off from the Ring Road. However, cars will be allowed to meander through the temporary parking on the lawn north of the Administration building as a temporary link from the Administration building to the Ring Road. Traffic to the Administration building will mainly enter through the gate in Lynnwood Road to the South of the Administration Building – left in and out only.
Phase 2: (Starting on 1 June 2009) Click here to see Annexure 2
Phase 2 comes into operation when the excavation of the new entrance to the south of the Heavy Machine Laboratories reaches a stage that will make it possible for earthmoving trucks to use the new entrance into University Road. At this stage the temporary construction entrance for trucks will be closed. Senate Road will be reconnected to the Ring Road via the relocated section as well as the temporary connection road constructed during Phase 1.
Impact on parking: Although the new parking garage will eventually ease the parking situation, the construction project will unfortunately result in the loss of Parking Areas H8 and H9 from May 2009 onwards. An equal number of properly marked temporary parking bays on grass and paved areas will however be made available during the construction period as illustrated in Annexure 1 and 2 above.More information on the project is available on the web at http://www.up.ac.za/engineering-and-parkade-projectKind regards
Prof Schalk Claasen Project Manager Engineering/Parkade Project
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