Maintenance and Operations Updates

10/10/02: Construction Update #6

Colleagues,

Introduction

The Fire Lane Project remains on schedule. Tremendous progress has been made on the north-south mall walks. These are long, straight pours, eight inches thick. Adjacent to the concrete, you can now observe the Granitepave and Grasspave 2 being installed. The photos below illustrate installation on the GCC campus. Those interested in the technical aspects of these products can find additional information in Construction Update # 4.

Granitepave materials - Supports 70,000 lbs./sq.ft.

The North-South Fire Lane-Granitepave+8"Concrete

The link below connects this message to the campus construction map. Again, red=under construction, blue=completed work and magenta=will open within 3-5 days. Click on now for a quick look.

http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/index/campus.cfm?see=Construction

Construction Highlights - To Date

The contractor has completed approximately 200 meters of fire lane on the north-south mall, from Physical Science to the Math Bldg. A social - gathering area in the center of the mall, between Life Science and the High Tech Centers, now sports red concrete. Both of these areas will be open next week, and allow students and employees unobstructed cross mall access.

Social Area between Life Science and High Tech Centers

Construction Highlights - October 12-25

Construction will continue southward on the north-south running mall lane to the center of the campus and then the contractor will proceed east, past the north end of the B Bldg. Crossover sidewalks connecting the two mall walks (south end of the north-south mall) will also be poured. Some sidewalk detours will be necessary (orange fences), but cross mall access will be provided at all times.

Sod removal, irrigation installation and electrical work (light poles) continues along the north south mall from the PS Bldg. south to the center of campus and east toward the Humanities Classroom Bldg. (HU). Lighting is operational along the enitre length of the mall.

The renovation of the SPS Bldg. (east side) began on September 9th. The project is scheduled for completion on February 6th. The contractor has erected fencing around the entire building. Please remain out of of this building unless escorted.

(Like a syllabus, this schedule is tentative)

Asphalt and Damaged Concrete

Several of you have commented on the asphalt patches between concrete slabs. These patches allow the contractor to sychronize construction efforts, efficiently manage the amount of concrete poured, while still maintaining access. The concrete slabs are like a wood floor, employing interlocking joints. The patches are places holders, protecting these joints until the final pieces are in place. The cooler weather has reduced the amount of this material tracked into classrooms and offices, but some additional dirt is anticipated. Please let us know if you are experienceing major problems in this regard.

A second comment concerns damaged concrete on the east end of the campus, near the Humanities (HU) and Music (MU) Bldgs. This is the entrance and exit point for the concrete trucks. Damage was anticipated and this concrete (the east-west mall fire lane) will be replaced in November.

Lastly, contractors have experienced some problems with vendors driving on "green" concrete. College Safety will be contacting these vendors this week. If your department uses vendors who deliver materials to the College, please coordinate delivery routes with College Safety or the M&O office.

Thanks and Old Updates

Thank you for taking the time to remain up to date on the College's construction projects. If you missed Construction Updates #1 through #5, please email me and I will provide a copy. You may also access this information on this web site, where each update is archived.

Charles F. Jeffery
Construction Liaison