Construction Update: June

As Idaho State University moves forward with enhancements to facilities and campus infrastructure, it’s peak time for summer construction projects. In an effort to complete a number of projects as quickly as possible during the summer months, the Pocatello campus community should be advised of a few scheduled closures and detours that will occur along Martin Luther King, Jr. Way and the Administration Building parking lot.

Martin Luther King Jr. Way Closure

July 9 - July 17

Construction crews are planning to connect utility services for the new Starbucks on the first floor of the Eli M. Oboler Library in early-to-mid July. The utility work will cause a temporary street closure of Martin Luther King, Jr. Way from July 9 through 17. The closure will be from the stoplight in front of Reed Gym to the 9th Street intersection near the Library. Reed Gym will still be accessible from MLK. All other traffic should use E. Carter Street to navigate campus. MLK is expected to reopen on July 18, and Starbucks is projected to be open for business in the fall semester.

Expanded Administration Building Parking Closure

June 24 - October

Due to a necessary expansion of steam tunnel work near South 8th Avenue, the north side of the Administration Building parking lot will be closed through the end of October. The expanded closure will allow construction vehicles and equipment to complete improvements to an additional section of the steam tunnel that is in need of time-sensitive repairs prior to heat being reactivated in the fall. A critically important part of this project also involves working with Idaho Power to improve safety to existing utility lines in the tunnels.

One-way traffic access from the corner of 8th Avenue and MLK will continue to access the east portion of the R2 Administration Building parking lot, along with parking spaces for the Health Center and Gravely Hall for the duration of the project. It is anticipated that South 8th Avenue, between E. Lovejoy and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, will reopen to traffic in early September. Limited parking options on the east side of the Administration Building are available. Reserved lot parking spaces will also remain available in the R3 Parking Lot near the corner of 9th Ave. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, (north of the Dental Hygiene Building). A map illustrating the expanded section of the lot closure is available online.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move forward with these important construction projects this summer. Please contact Facilities Services at (208) 282-2784 if you have any additional questions or concerns.