Planned Parking Lot and Sidewalk Closures During Summer Campus Upgrades

Idaho State University has contracted with Engineered Structures, Inc. (ESI) of Boise to complete work on the steam tunnels and other areas on campus. The contractor will trench for new power conduits so that the high voltage lines inside the existing tunnels can be removed to enhance worker safety. Additionally, upgrades will be made that improve the aesthetics, safety and functionality for University heating systems on the Pocatello campus.

The following areas are expected to be impacted from approximately June 6 through the end of October, in staged phases in order to minimize disruptions for faculty, staff, students and visitors to campus. A map of affected areas shows the project details. 

Areas affected include: 

• Sidewalk in front of the administration building leading west to the liberal arts building and north to the physical science building
• Small parking lot on the north side of the administration building
• Entire south side of the physical science building

Crews will also be working on both ends of the tunnel in the area from the administration building parking lot to the library, with no impact to vehicle and pedestrian traffic on MLK Drive. A small data trench from the administration building parking lot to the lawn area on the south side of the business administration building will also be installed. Work in this area is expected to be complete in approximately two weeks from the start date.

Scheduled power outages, determined by Idaho Power, are expected in late June for each building as switch gears are upgraded and crews install new underground power lines outside of the tunnels. Workers will be installing and upgrading transformers for each building as well.  Once the new lines are installed they will have to shut power off and change the transformers while hooking up the new lines at the same time. It is estimated that power outages will be scheduled for one day at each building. 

The following buildings are expected to be impacted by this work at various levels throughout the stages of this project: 
Administration, Frazier Hall, C.H. Kegel Liberal Arts, Business Administration, Physical Science Complex, and Lillibridge Engineering.

Also this summer, the entry stairs on the west side of the administration building will be replaced, causing the closure of the entire west entrance. 

Demolition and new construction of tunnels will take place in the following areas:

• From the Physical Sciences Complex to the administration building parking lot. 
• From physical sciences towards business administration (about halfway between the buildings) 

The project site will be fenced, and walkways inside the project area will not be accessible. For questions regarding this project, please contact the project manager, Cole Elquist at (208) 282-2472 or coleelquist@isu.edu.