This spring, we not only have to avoid the multitude of goose poop, small furry animals and earthworms underfoot, but also the construction currently going on in DWE.
The renovations target the C-Wing of the building (the one closest to CPH) and have been ongoing since the fall term. The wing used to host Chemical engineering and is now being converted to undergraduate teaching and research labs for the department of Civil and Environmental engineering. Walking past the site, the complete gutting of the old labs can be clearly seen, as well as the plate glass facing Ring Road. The removal of asbestos in the C-Wing is also ongoing.
Fortunately, accessibility to the buildings and area around the construction site has not been significantly restricted. The sidewalk bordering Ring Road, leading from SCH, has not been blocked off or littered with any debris. No entrances in the rest of DWE have been blocked either, including the one directly opposite CPH foyer. The floor on the entrance is not finished though, and is very uneven.
Any doors within DWE that are blocked off are clearly marked, and have no debris around them. Surprisingly, there is little to no noise being heard from beyond the doors, giving the students in surrounding classrooms no chance to complain about distractions. The bridge to CPH from DWE is no longer accessible from the rest of the building, and can only be accessed via the entrance near CPH foyer, and the bridge over University Ave.
Despite the pristine condition of the site, though, accessibility to the engineering buildings via bike has become harder. The majority of bike racks available in that area are directly in front of the DWE C-Wing, and the construction area. The racks have been moved closer together, causing some congestion. The bike repair station, previously blocked off, had recently been made accessible again. Construction had also blocked off the path from RCH to CPH, making bikers go through E2, or coming in from Ring Road. This path has been opened up again, but has a rough gravel surface.
Despite a few inconveniences, the construction at DWE has caused no real problems. A small fire broke out in early January, but there were no injuries and damage was minimal. Like most construction we experience in our daily lives, the work going on in DWE is a necessary evil.
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