Traffic, pedestrian impacts: Summer construction work to occur on the Blacksburg campus

From: The Division of Facilities; Student Affairs

To accommodate summer construction and maintenance work, there will be periodic road and pedestrian route closures and traffic delayed in limited areas of Virginia Tech’s Blacksburg campus during May - August. 

Updates to projects will be communicated via Virginia Tech News in the list below:

Projects occurring campuswide

Planned campuswide low-pressure steam outage: May 17 - June 7

A planned campuswide steam system shutdown that will impact the supply of low-pressure steam to the majority of the Blacksburg campus will occur from May 17 - June 7.

The shutdown is needed to perform preventative maintenance to critical systems on the main steam distribution system that requires a systemwide shutdown to service. 

During this shutdown, all low-pressure steam on the Blacksburg campus that is supplied by the Central Steam Plant will be out of service with the exception of the steam supply to the Upper Quad and Veterinary Medicine precincts, which will not be impacted. Air conditioning will not be impacted however, buildings may experience slightly cooler temperatures as the shutdown comes to a close and the system gears back up.

Questions regarding the steam shutdown may be directed to vtrepair@vt.edu.

Projects occurring in the North Academic District

Bishop-Favrao Hall ramp improvements: May 13 - 31

To accommodate improvement operations, the ramp at the east entrance to Bishop-Favrao Hall (facing the Cowgill Lawn) will be closed from approximately Monday, May 13 - Friday, May 31.

During this time, pedestrians are encouraged to utilize the other entrances to the building located on the west side (facing Hitt Hall).

Pedestrians may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to vtfacilities@vt.edu.

Hitt Hall access improvements: May 13 - June 2

To accommodate capital construction efforts at Hitt Hall, a portion of the sidewalk in front of the Classroom Building and a limited portion of a single lane roadway on West Campus Drive will be closed from Monday, May 13 - Sunday, June 2. 

Additionally during this time, the Pamplin parking lot will be closed in order to complete paving operations on the Derring Hall access drive. 

This closure does not affect any ADA routes. 

Pedestrians and drivers may utilize the Campus Closures Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to vtfacilities@vt.edu. 

Mitchell Hall construction: Begins May 20

In preparation for the Mitchell Hall capital construction project, which involves the initial demolition of Randolph Hall, the following parking and pedestrian route modifications will be in place beginning May 20 to accommodate construction fencing and trailers and ensure pedestrian and driver safety:

• ADA parking spaces located in front of Randolph Hall will be relocated to the Upper Stanger Lot
• The Substation Parking Lot will be temporarily closed for contractor trailer use. Drivers may utilize nearby alternative parking areas such as the Upper Stanger Lot, North End Center Garage, or Perry Street Garage.
• Pedestrian egress from Whittemore Hall will be maintained along the Mitchell Hall fence line to the south of the building (facing Mitchell Hall/Randolph Hall) toward Durham Hall.
• Pedestrian egress from Durham Hall will be maintained along the south of the building (facing Lavery Hall), toward Barger Street.
• Pedestrian access will be maintained along Holden and Norris Halls toward Burruss Hall.

Fencing and trailers will be in place throughout the construction process, which is targeted for completion in spring 2028.

Drivers and pedestrians may also utilize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

As construction efforts continue, additional impacts to the university community will be provided via Virginia Tech News. 

Mitchell Hall will support the College of Engineering’s enrollment growth and its 21st century experiential learning and research mission as well as provide opportunities to improve the North Academic District’s physical accessibility.

Questions may be directed to vtfacilities@vt.edu

Projects occurring in the central core of campus

Town of Blacksburg sewer replacement operations: May 13 - Aug. 2

To accommodate Town of Blacksburg sewer replacement operations, several parking spaces in the Squires Parking Lot located near the Architecture and Media Annexes will be closed from approximately Monday, May 13 - Friday, Aug. 2. Also during this time, several parallel parking spaces near the Graduate Life Center will be closed. 

Seven ADA parking spaces will be maintained for the duration of the project.

Drivers may utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Shawn Veltman, town engineer at sveltman@blacksburg.gov. 

Duck Pond Drive milling and paving operations: July 11 - 17

Milling and paving operations will take place at Duck Pond Drive from Southgate Drive to the Stroubles Creek area between approximately Thursday,  July 11 - Wednesday, July 17.

During this time, traffic will be maintained, however, drivers may experience short, temporary delays. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes when possible. 

Questions may be directed to vtfacilities@vt.edu. 

Graduate Life Center dining improvements: Summer break duration

To accommodate improvements to the dining facilities in the Graduate Life Center,  a portion of the pedestrian pathway in the Squires Plaza will be utilized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period.

These pathways will remain open, however, pedestrians are encouraged to seek nearby alternative routes when possible.

Additionally, a limited number of parking spaces located next to the Graduate Life Center next to Otey Street will also be utilized for contractor parking. Drivers are encouraged to seek nearby alternative parking spaces.

Pedestrians and drivers may utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.

Newman Library tunnel top replacement: May 13 - Aug. 30

To accommodate steam tunnel top improvement efforts occurring near Newman Library, the pathway between Kent Street and Newman Library will be closed to pedestrians beginning Monday, May 13 through Friday, Aug. 30. 

During this time, pedestrians are encouraged to seek nearby alternative routes.

Pedestrians may also may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to vtrepair@vt.edu.

Owens Hall kitchen improvements: Summer break duration

To accommodate improvements to the kitchen facilities in Owens Hall, a limited number of parking spaces in the Owens parking lot will be utilized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period.

Drivers are encouraged to utilize nearby alternative spaces.

Drivers may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.

Price Hall exterior stair tower renovations: May 13 - Aug. 21

To accommodate renovations work to the exterior stairs of Price Hall, the exterior stair tower as well as its associated doors will be closed from approximately Monday, May 13 - Wednesday Aug. 21. During this time, the interior stairwell and elevator will be open for pedestrian use in the building.

Additionally, a limited number of parking spaces in the nearby parking lot located near the Price Hall exterior stair tower will be closed. All ADA parking spaces will remain open. Signage will be posted to assist drivers with navigation. 

Pedestrians may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to vtrepair@vt.edu.

Projects occurring in the residential region

Campbell Hall laundry improvements: Summer break duration

To accommodate improvements to the laundry in Campbell Hall, the pedestrian pathways located near East Campbell Hall (facing Slusher Hall) and at the back of Slusher Hall (facing the Dietrick Parking Lot) will be utilized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period.

These pathways will remain open, however, pedestrians are encouraged to seek nearby alternative routes when possible.

Pedestrians may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.

Dietrick Hall renovations: Summer break duration

To accommodate renovations work occurring in Dietrick Hall, a limited portion of the pedestrian pathway to the east of Dietrick Hall (Peddrew-Yates Hall side) leading to the Dietrick Parking Lot will be utilized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period.

This pathway will remain open, however, pedestrians are encouraged to seek nearby alternative routes when possible.

Pedestrians may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.

Eggleston Hall laundry improvements: Summer break duration

To accommodate improvements to the laundry in Eggleston Hall, the pedestrian pathways located in the interior corners of the building at the edge of Drillfield Drive and Kent Street on the Eggleston Quad side will be utilized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period.

These pathways will remain open, however, pedestrians are encouraged to seek nearby alternative routes when possible.

Pedestrians may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.

Johnson Hall restroom improvements: Summer break duration

To accommodate improvements to the restrooms in Johnson Hall, the pedestrian pathways located adjacent to Johnson Hall (across from Whitehurst Hall) will be utilized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period.

These pathways will remain open, however, pedestrians are encouraged to seek nearby alternative routes when possible.

Pedestrians may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.

Pritchard Hall renovations work: Summer break duration

To accommodate renovations work occurring in Pritchard Hall, the pedestrian pathways located east and west of the building (facing New Residence Hall East and facing Dietrick Hall) will be utilized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period.

These pathways will remain open, however, pedestrians are encouraged to seek nearby alternative routes when possible.

Also during this time, a limited number of parking spaces near Pritchard and Hoge Halls as well as on Washington Street near the two buildings will be utilized for contractor parking. Drivers are encouraged to seek nearby alternative parking spaces.

Pedestrians and drivers may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.

Peddrew-Yates Hall restroom improvements: Summer break duration

To accommodate improvements to the restrooms in Peddrew-Yates Hall, the pedestrian pathways located adjacent to Peddrew-Yates Hall, in the center and surrounding areas of the quad, and leading from Dietrick Hall to Peddrew-Yates Hall will be utilized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period.

These pathways will remain open, however, pedestrians are encouraged to seek nearby alternative routes when possible.

Pedestrians may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.

Slusher Hall renovations work: Summer break duration

To accommodate renovations work occurring in Slusher Hall, the loading dock located near the Slusher Hall wing will be utilitized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period.

The loading dock will remain open, however, drivers are encouraged to exercise caution and obey all posted signage.

Drivers may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.

Vawter Hall restroom improvements: Summer break duration

To accommodate improvements to the restrooms in Vawter Hall, the pedestrian pathways located along the Owens Lot Road leading to the building will be utilized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period. 

These pathways will remain open, however, pedestrians are encouraged to seek nearby alternative routes when possible.

Pedestrians may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.

West Ambler Johnston Hall renovations: Summer break duration

To accommodate renovations work occurring in West Ambler Johnston Hall, a portion of the pedestrian pathway located south of the building, near Washington Street as well as a portion of the loading dock area to the building near the end of Ag Quad Lane will be utilized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period.

This pathway and driveway will remain open, however, pedestrians and drivers are encouraged to seek nearby alternative routes when possible.

Pedestrians and drivers may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.

Projects occurring in the athletics region

McComas Hall renovations work: Summer break duration

To accommodate renovations work occurring in McComas Hall, a limited portion of the pedestrian pathway located in between McComas Hall and the Thompson Field will be utilized for construction laydown beginning Monday, May 13, and lasting the majority of the summer break period.

This pathways will remain open, however, pedestrians are encouraged to seek nearby alternative routes when possible.

Also during this time, a limited number of parking spaces in Lot 1 next to McComas Hall will be utilized for contractor parking. Drivers are encouraged to seek nearby alternative spaces.

Pedestrians and drivers may also utilitize the Interactive Campus Map to assist with navigation.

Questions may be directed to Tory Stephen, associate director of project management at torystep@vt.edu.