On Wednesday, September 23, 2009 through the month of November, the West Campus Utility Plant will be starting up and testing steam boilers. The campus community can expect the following:

--Throughout the course of boiler testing, contaminant free steam vapor will be discharged intermittently through the utility plant rooftop venting system. The campus community may notice large plumes of steam vapor coming from the utility plant, but should not be alarmed as it is a normal part of testing.

--At times, the steam vapor discharged from the plant will be noisy. During work days, unusually loud noise levels may be heard from the utility plant. The project will follow the City of Chicago noise ordinance prohibiting noise generating work between 8PM and 8AM.

--The noise levels and steam vapor venting are part of boiler testing only. During normal plant operations, minimal noise and steam vapor will be produced.

Please contact Derrick Bailey, Project Manager for Facilities Services, at (773) 612-6162 with questions or concerns.

Please be aware that Ellis Avenue between 57th and 59th Streets will be closed on Saturday, June 20, 2009 between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM for a crane lift. Below is a list of activities the campus community can expect in regards to this work:

--NO traffic will be allowed on Ellis Avenue between 57th and 58th Streets.

--All parking will be eliminated on the west side of Ellis Avenue between 57th Street and the Bookstore, and all parking will be eliminated on the east side of Ellis Avenue between 57th Street and Jones Laboratory.

--Access from 59th Street going north on Ellis Avenue will be permitted only until 58th Street for parking and drop-off only. No thru traffic will be permitted north of 58th Street.

--There will be construction flaggers present at 57th Street to redirect southbound Ellis Avenue traffic to ensure pedestrian and motorists safety.

--There will be flaggers at 59th Street notifying motorists of the street closure.

--Contractors will be utilizing a 75 ton crane to install equipment on to the Hinds Laboratory.

--Pedestrian traffic will not be available on the west side of Ellis Avenue in front of Hinds Laboratory. Pedestrians will be directed to go around Hinds along the paths on the west side of Hinds Laboratory.

--Signage will be posted notifying motorists and pedestrians of the street and sidewalk closure.

--The work is weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, the lift will take place on Sunday, June 21, 2009.

Please contact Jim Garcia, Project Manager for Facilities Services, at (773) 834-1825, with questions or concerns.

Beginning in April the West Camp Utility Plant and the New Hospital Pavilion will impact traffic in the west part of campus between Drexel and Cottage Grove Avenues and between 56th and 58th Streets. The campus community can expect the following:

--On Cottage Grove Avenue between 58th and 57th Streets the west parking lane will be closed to vehicles.

--On 57th Street between Cottage Grove and Drexel Avenues the south (eastbound) parking and traffic lane of 57th Street will be closed. Eastbound traffic will be routed to the westbound driving lane and the westbound traffic will be routed to the north (westbound) parking lane.

--On Drexel Avenue the west parking lane between the Comer Emergency Department entrance and 57th Street will be closed.

--On Maryland Avenue between 56th Street and the south end of the West Campus Utility Plant the street will be closed from April 27, 2009 May 15, 2009.

--Traffic signage will be posted informing vehicles of the temporary street reconfigurations.

Please contact Derrick Bailey with Facilities Services at (773) 834-1411 or Elizabeth Lockwood with the Medical Center at (773) 834-2894 with questions or concerns.