Construction of two new dormitories on the residential Hill began Monday near the Evergreen residence hall and the Saxon Suites.
The Upper and Lower De Neve residential halls are the first of a two-part housing expansion project, to be followed by the construction of new buildings on the south and west sides of Sproul Hall beginning this spring, said Frank Montana, construction mitigator for the Office of Residential Life.
Students can expect increased noise and dust associated with the construction, which is projected for completion in fall 2012.
Construction crews will work from 7 a.m. to dusk on weekdays and on Saturdays as needed at 9 a.m., Montana said.
Contractors have been asked to minimize loud noises associated with construction during finals week, Montana said.
“They would drastically curtail (the noise),” Montana said. “They wouldn’t be pulling in a major concrete pour (during finals week).”
During move-in days, construction will stop to accommodate the increased traffic around the Hill, he added.
Construction will begin with the fencing off of work areas, followed by the clearing of hillside where the new buildings will stand.
Students should close windows and drapes to minimize the effects of dust and noise on their daily routines, Montana said.
Another large concern with the increase in construction work, Montana said, is student safety.
Although the work represents a large inconvenience to students, Montana urged residents to abide by the closures and consider alternate routes to avoid areas that are heavily trafficked by construction work.