Tunnel replacement project to begin soon 

Aging tunnels under the campus at Pittsburg State University that for decades have housed critical infrastructure soon will be replaced. The construction project temporarily will reroute pedestrian and vehicular traffic as well as parking distribution during various phases of the 18-month schedule.   

It’s a critically important project: The tunnels house utility lines that bring steam heat, chilled water for cooling, and domestic water to main campus buildings.  

Starting around March 17, a construction area will be fenced off on Lindburg Street between Whitesitt Hall and the Physical Plant Building. This construction area will remain closed for the entire project and prevent public access to Whitesitt from the south or the Physical Plant from the north. A later phase will capture a southern portion of the Oval and prevent access to Whitesitt from the east. 

A portion of the blue permit parking lot east of the Physical Plant will be used for construction storage for the duration of the project.  

Project managers are carefully planning necessary building, parking, and pedestrian access for students, employees, parents of children who attend the nearby Little Gorilla Preschool, those who rely on deliveries at the campus post office, visitors to the Testing Center, and customers of Gorilla Graphics (Printing & Design).  

“We’ll prioritize safety and then minimize disruptions as much as possible,” said University Architect Lindell Haverstic. 

Campus will provide updates to students and employees as the project progresses.