Part of Ring Road to close temporarily this summer
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Utilities work associated with construction of Western Michigan University's new Valley Dining Hall will result in closure of a key portion of the Ring Road for about six weeks this summer.
The Goldsworth Drive portion of the Ring Road in front of Parking Lot 60 will be closed all the way to West Pond Drive. The closure starts Monday, June 1, and is expected to end Tuesday, July 7.
During the closure, the Valley II and III residence halls will be affected only for short periods of one to two days when the entries to West and East Pond drives are blocked.
The Valley I halls, where this summer's orientation students will be housed, as well as the Valley intramural fields and their adjacent parking lot will be accessible throughout the closure.
Traffic from Howard Street routed south
Vehicles will be allowed to enter campus from Howard Street at Valley Drive. However, through traffic will only be able to turn south—counterclockwise—on the Ring Road. Travel to the Sindecuse Health Center and Goldsworth Valley Apartments will not be affected for motorists accessing the Ring Road from the east side of the main campus.
Signage along the Ring Road will alert motorists to the closure and direct them to travel counterclockwise at Rankin Avenue. A map showing the Ring Road and closed area has been posted at wmich.edu/visit/directions.
Conn Macomber, WMU director of projects and construction, says the closure is needed so crews can relocate all utilities for the Valley residence halls.
"We've explored alternative methods of excavation and we're utilizing the best techniques available to accomplish this task in the minimum required time," Macomber says. "We recognize that this is a major disruption to the University. We've delayed this closure to the extent possible while still being able to build our new $30 million dining facility in 13 months—a challenge even in the best of conditions."
For more information, contact Macomber at conn.macomber@wmich.edu or (269) 387-8671.
For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.