The Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees at its regularly scheduled meeting on the Carbondale campus Thursday, April 17 approved contracts worth more than $1.5 million to complete two separate projects on the Edwardsville campus:
- Road resurfacing that would include Hairpin Drive, a portion of North University Drive and access to the University cross country running course
- Replacement of the Simmons Law Firm Baseball Complex outfield’s natural turf with a synthetic surface
During the course of the roadway resurfacing, the intersection of North University and North Circle Drives will be improved to reduce traffic backups and pedestrian conflicts. The project will also overlay Whiteside Road, East University Drive, Supporting Services Road, Cougar Lake Drive and Cougar Village Road to extend the pavement’s life. Pavement markings, traffic signs and accessible curb ramps will also be replaced.
The $891,800 contract to perform the roadwork was awarded to Byrne & Jones Construction of St. Louis. The project will be funded from University Plan funds.
The Simmons Baseball Complex turf replacement will allow for year-round tournament play and training. The project will also replace the perimeter fence and improve field drainage.
The $685,000 contract to perform the turf work was also awarded to Byrne & Jones Construction. The project will be funded from University Plan funds.
SIUE also received project and budget approval for parking lot improvements estimated at $3.6 million. The combined effects of traffic and weather have led to deterioration in the lots, while the light poles have reached the end of their life expectancy. The project would be funded by existing Parking Services Repair, Replacement and Reserve (RRR) funds, and external and/or internal financing as determined by the Board treasurer.
The scope of the repairs would include reconstructing parking lots C, F, and 1-6 along with new light poles equipped with LED fixtures. New pay-by-space equipment would be added to lot B. Drainage improvements are designed for lot 10. Related work includes replacing concrete sidewalks associated with the lots as well as the accompanying cubs, signs and pavement markings.
Oates and Associates of Collinsville was selected as the engineering consultant to design the project through a Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) process.