Spectrum - Volume 18 Issue 22 February 29, 1996 - Spring Road to close for construction

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

Spring Road to close for construction

By Larry Hincker

Spectrum Volume 18 Issue 22 - February 29, 1996

The university will close Spring Road from Stadium Road to Southgate Drive on March 10 to enable construction of a new Soccer/Track Complex, a new women's softball field, and the relocation of football practice fields. The new fields will encroach upon the current routing of Spring Road. (Please see accompanying diagram)

"North-south traffic will have to use Duck Pond Drive to move from Southgate to center campus and vice versa," said Jim McCoy, director of capital design and construction.

University officials are contemplating when, and if, Spring Road will be relocated. According to Ray Smoot, vice president for finance and treasurer, traffic counts from before and after closure will be analyzed and funding sought to relocate the road, if needed.

Virginia Tech athletes have competed without an outdoor track since 1983. The new softball field generally coincides with the addition of women's intercollegiate softball, which fields its first team this year. Play on the new field will begin in the spring of 1997. The football practice field must be partially relocated to make way for the new student health and fitness center.

The stadium parking lot will be developed and paved during the summer of 1997 to partially recoup spaces lost to the fields and possible road realignment.