Utility work underneath The Oval is nearing completion. By mid-November, fences will be reduced and all walkways will be open to pedestrians. The project also updated what those passers-by won't see – 3,000 feet of utility lines pushed back the timeline a bit, snaking through a brick-and-mortar tunnel system built in the early 1900's.
Work started in April and is expected to be finished in November.
The reconstruction and repair of the tunnel system beneath the Oval is set to be completed Nov. 15. Credit: Lantern File Photo
While it will miss the initial projected completion by the end of October, the reconstruction and repair of the tunnel system beneath the Oval is set to be completed Nov. 15.
Utility work underneath The Oval is nearing completion. By mid-November, fences will be reduced and all walkways will be open to pedestrians (see map). Temporary fencing and post-and-rope will remain into spring 2019 to protect grass impacted by construction. Everyone is asked to stay off the turf in impacted areas while we restore the campus landmark.
UPDATE - Beginning October 31 early morning and continuing through November 8 late afternoon (except football Saturday, November 3), there will be some sidewalk closures at The Oval. Signage will direct pedestrians, and traffic control officials will facilitate traffic. ADA pathways will be maintained.
Beginning Thursday (10/4) at 7 a.m. and continuing through Friday (10/5) late afternoon, the central portion of the east/west long walk through the Oval and a section to the north of Mendenhall Laboratory will be closed for construction. Detour signage will be in place.
Beginning Thursday (9/20) at 7 a.m. and continuing through Friday (9/21) late afternoon, the east portion of the east/west long walk through The Oval will be closed for construction. Detour signage will be in place, with the recommended pedestrian detour shown as the dashed green line.
Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP), ENGIE Services and The Ohio State University continue utility work underneath The Oval to support nearby building heating and hot water.
Initial fencing was installed in early April on the eastern portion of The Oval. Following spring commencement, additional fencing will be added across the middle portion of The Oval starting on Monday, May 7 (see map). In addition, the parking lot north of Orton Hall will close for one week to relocate water lines and install temporary building heating systems.
Monday (4/16) through Wednesday (4/18), from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, the southbound lane of College Road at Hughes Hall will be closed. Traffic control officers will be onsite to facilitate two-way traffic in the northbound lane. Pedestrians will be directed to use the east sidewalk. College Road will reopen to two lanes after 5 p.m. on each day. This work supports the Oval Utility Tunnel Repair project.
Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP), ENGIE Services and The Ohio State University will begin work in early April to repair or replace 3,000 feet of aging utilities underneath The Oval.
Multiple phases of fencing are required on The Oval to support safety with configurations likely to change in April, May and August (see maps).
