Utility Project Will Intermittently Close Science Drive Starting in April

A pipe replacement will result in traffic, parking and busing adjustments through the end of August

Street sign with steamroller in background

UPDATE: August 8, 2024

Recent rainy weather has caused minor adjustments to the schedule for the Science Drive condensate project.

Between 8:15 p.m. and 6 a.m., starting Monday, August 12 until Friday, August 16, paving work will require traffic on Science Drive between the Biological Sciences Building and Bryan Center Circle to be limited to one lane and controlled by flaggers. During the day, both lanes of traffic will be open.

From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, beginning Monday, August 19 until Friday, September 13, traffic on Science Drive between the Biological Sciences Building and Bryan Center Circle will be limited to one lane and controlled by flaggers. At night, both lanes will be open.

While the roadwork will be complete in mid-September, additional work on the project will create pedestrian detours in the area until all work is complete on October 11.

UPDATE: June 14, 2024

An adjustment to the excavation schedule will result in less disruption in the heart of West Campus.

Originally slated to be closed on weeknights for four weeks, the entrance to Bryan Center circle at Science Drive will now only be closed from 8:15 p.m. to 6 a.m. on weeknights from June 17-21 and from July 29-August 2. From June 22-July 28, the entrance will be open at all times.

Original Post:

The replacement of a decades-old condensate pipe for Duke’s steam system will result in traffic adjustments and the intermittent closure of Science Drive in the heart of West Campus over the next few months.

The work, which will require digging a trench of between 4 and 6 feet deep along roughly 160 feet of Science Drive in front of the Physics and Biological Sciences Buildings, will begin April 1 and finish at the end of August, weather permitting.

The project will replace a roughly 40-year-old stretch of 6-inch wide steel pipe that’s part of the campus-wide steam system that heats buildings and is used in processes such as sterilization. The pipes that are being replaced take the water that results from the cooling of steam back to the West Campus Steam Plant where it is reheated and reused as steam again.

The stretch of Science Drive in the heart of West Campus will be the site of a months-long underground pipe replacement project starting April 1. Photo by Brandon Bieltz.

“Our steam and condensate system has served our community well for many years,” said the project’s manager Ed Sinnott, Assistant Manager for Capital Projects with Duke Facilities Management. “Instead of heating up domestic city water, which might be around 80 degrees, we’re taking condensate that’s already 180 degrees and heating it up to 360 degrees. There’s a lot of energy savings there.”

The work will take place at night and will unfold in several phases, but there will be impacts to traffic, parking and buses, and community members should expect delays while traveling in the area.

April 1 to April 26

What’s happening: The first phase will result in the closure of one lane of Science Drive near the Biological Sciences Building during the day and a total closure of the road from 8:15 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday.

What to expect: Drivers who park in the Science Lot near the Physics Building will need to have their cars out of the lot before 8:15 p.m. each night. Parking will be available in the Bryan Center Parking Garage for Science Lot permit holders. During this period, the PR1 bus route and the Lancaster Commons Shuttle will stop service at 8:15 p.m. on weeknights. Duke will offer nighttime van service for Lancaster Commons Shuttle users.

Robertson Scholars Bus Impacts: The last pick-up at the Science Drive stop for the Robertson Express on Monday-Friday will be 7:30 p.m. From 8:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. on Monday-Friday, the Robertson Express will pick up riders at the bus stop on Research Drive near Hudson Hall.

May 16 to June 14

What’s happening: After a pause around commencement, the next phase of work will result in the closure of Science Drive in front of the Physics Building at all times, leaving the Science Lot and the traffic circle at the end of Science drive inaccessible.

What to expect: Science Lot permit holders will be able to park in the Bryan Center Parking Garage. During this phase, the Lancaster Commons Shuttle will pick up riders at the Bryan Center Circle. The entrance to Bryan Center Circle, and the Bryan Center Parking Garage will remain open.

June 17 to July 12

What’s happening: Work will close the entrance to the Bryan Center circle at Science Drive from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday.

What to expect: Visitors and permit holders for the Bryan Center Garage will need to use the rear entrance, which is accessible from Science Drive, at all times.

July 15 to August 30

What’s happening: The next phase will close one lane of Science Drive at all times. Two-way traffic will continue with a temporary traffic light.

What to expect: Parking lots on West Campus will be available and bus service will operate with minimal delays. Drivers should expect delays while traveling in the area.

September 3 to September 27

What’s happening: Both lanes of Science Drive will remain open during the final phase when landscaping in front of the Biological Sciences Building will be replaced.

What to expect: There will be pedestrian detours around the work area, but vehicular traffic should be unaffected.

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