Work on the University of Texas at El Paso’s (UTEP) campus continues as the school prepared for this fall’s Centennial Celebration. Progress can be seen on multiple projects throughout multiple areas of the school.
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| A roundabout has taken shape at the intersection of Sun Bowl Drive and Glory Road. (UTEP On the Move) |
One of the largest projects will improve the center of campus in what UTEP calls its Campus Transformation, creating large gathering spaces, pedestrian-friendly areas, and expansive landscaping in the middle areas of the school grounds. Construction includes removing, parking lots, and concrete areas to reveal a more natural environment.
Work has been ongoing for months, with much of the focus on Centennial Plaza. Now new water and gas lines are being placed which will affect parking along both University Avenue and Wiggins Road. Construction began last week and is expected to last through mid-August.
Along the eastern edge of campus, the project to widen Sun Bowl Drive is showing clear signs of getting closer to completion. Crews last week began painting bike symbols along the outer lanes of the roadway, designating them as shared lanes to be used both by bicycles and vehicles.
Parking lots that were closed or limited due to the Sun Bowl Drive construction will reopen in the fall, including the S-6, P-6, P-7, and P-8 lots. These lots are to the west and north of Sun Bowl Stadium. A larger portion of lot P-4 will be available for parking, previously occupied during construction of the Spur 1966 overpass.
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| The new student housing buildings on the northern side of UTEP's campus will add enough space for 352 students across two four-story buildings. (news.utep.edu) |
On the northern end of campus, 6.2 acres of UTEP land is being transformed into a student housing complex. Rock wall and embankment work is underway to hold soil in place that will eventually be the base for two four-story residence halls and a commons building.
The project will produce room for 352 students and is expected to see completion in fall 2015. Updates on these and other UTEP projects can be found at its On the Move website, www.onthemove.utep.edu.