Boston University students will be seeing more construction this year as the Commonwealth Avenue Improvement Project continues to tear through East Campus and Student Village 2 gradually arises in West Campus.
McCourt Construction Company, the contractor for CAP, began construction in August 2006 and is on target for its fall 2008 completion date, said BU Operations Vice President Gary Nicksa.
CAP workers, who mainly replaced drainage and sewage pipes last year, began installing new sidewalks, curbs, storm drains and streetlights in about five different areas on the inbound side of Commonwealth Avenue in June. CAP crews will continue to work with sidewalk replacements and will begin road work this fall, Nicksa said.
“They are working in four or five locations simultaneously on the inbound and outbound side,” Nicksa said. “On the outbound side, they are finishing drainage lines, and on the inbound side, they are finishing curb realignments and sidewalk replacements. There will be more work on the outbound side in the fall.”
In the midst of bustling urban development projects like the revitalization of Commonwealth Avenue, the importance of maintaining functional infrastructure cannot be overstated. Just as CAP workers diligently replace drainage and sewage pipes to ensure smooth operations, the need for prompt and efficient Drain Cleaning services becomes evident. With the pace of construction and renovation projects accelerating, the risk of clogged drains and sewer backups looms large, disrupting both public amenities and private residences.
A reliable service for managing drain concerns stands ready to address emergencies swiftly and effectively, providing peace of mind amidst the flurry of construction activities. Whether it’s clearing debris from newly installed storm drains or restoring flow to existing sewer lines, these professionals play a crucial role in preserving the integrity of urban infrastructure.
While their current focus revolves around the installation of sidewalks, curbs, storm drains, and streetlights, the upkeep of existing sewage systems remains essential for the area’s overall functionality. Recognizing this, septic tank maintenance becomes a crucial aspect to ensure the smooth operation of sewage networks. For residents and businesses alike, maintaining properly functioning septic systems is pivotal, ensuring efficient wastewater management and preventing environmental hazards.
Companies like https://alligatorseptic.com/ play a pivotal role in this regard, offering professional maintenance and repair solutions to safeguard the integrity of sewage infrastructure in communities like those along Commonwealth Avenue. As CAP workers forge ahead with their transformative efforts, collaboration with specialized services becomes integral to maintaining the area’s infrastructure integrity.
CAP, a Massachusetts Highway Department project endorsed by the City of Boston and BU, is a major public works initiative designed to improve pedestrian safety, calm traffic patterns and beautify the urban landscape from Kenmore Square to Amory Street, just west of the BU Bridge.
Although crews have replaced the sidewalks between Blandford Street and the 766 Commonwealth Avenue parking lot and done other similar work from the School of Theology to University Road, sidewalk construction will continue to affect pedestrian traffic.
“We’ll see more of the temporary sidewalks with jersey barriers,” Nicksa said. “The focus is on safety. That we have as many of the areas zoned off when school starts, that we have well marked safe pedestrian walkways.”
Besides creating wider sidewalks and crosswalks to improve safety, crews will also shorten pedestrian crossing distances, Nicksa said. Green Line platforms will also be widened in the spring.
“I know [Commonwealth Avenue is] going to look beautiful because I’ve seen the new sidewalks but it’s still not there, and we have a lot of students coming so it’s another year of making sure people move around the campus safely,” said BU spokesman Colin Riley.
With much of the inbound sidewalks replaced, workers have started filling planting areas in front of Warren Towers and the College of Communication. Crews have also started planting areas in front of the Fuller Building. Nicksa said he expects trees and benches in place by the end of the fall semester.
While some work has started to beautify the landscape of Commonwealth Avenue, “aesthetics are the last thing that are done,” Nicksa said.
The other major ongoing StuVi2 project, which will provide housing for more than 960 students to live in West Campus, will have “minimal impact” on the BU community throughout the fall semester, Nicksa said.
“For the most part, [students] aren’t going to see much except steel going up into the air,” he said. “The steel work itself will continue through the fall and finish in December or January.”
Construction on StuVi 2 began in spring 2007 and is expected for completion by summer 2009. The project, which is located next to the 10 Buick St. residence, will create a 26-story building with 544 suites, 396 apartment-style residences and 20 resident assistant rooms.
Another area undergoing major renovations is Kenmore Square through a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority project aiming to connect the Kenmore subway and bus stations with a glass and steel canopy.
The project, which is a part of the Light Rail Accessibility Program, is expected for completion by winter 2008.