Steam Tunnel Replacement Power Outage

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 has been trenching for new power conduits so that the high voltage lines inside the existing tunnels can be removed to enhance worker safety. Additionally the project includes upgrades to improve the aesthetics, safety and functionality for University heating systems on the Pocatello campus.

A scheduled power outage, determined by Idaho Power, will take place in the Business Administration Building on Wednesday, July 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

Power in Frazier Hall will still be off all day on Thursday, August 1. 

During the outages, switch gears will be upgraded and crews will install new underground power lines outside of the tunnels. Workers will be installing and upgrading transformers for each building as well.  

Other affected areas are expected to be impacted through the end of October in staged phases in order to minimize disruptions for faculty, staff, students and visitors to campus. 

Areas affected include: 

• Sidewalk in front of the administration building leading west to the Liberal Arts building and north to the Physical Science building (4-6 weeks completion)
• 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.

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.

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.