University of Iowa road partly closed to work on underground steam system

IOWA CITY - Grand Avenue, near the Boyd Law Building, is under construction again as the University of Iowa starts a second phase of work on an underground steam distribution system.

The $10 million project involves closing both eastbound lanes on Grand Avenue from the UI Field House to Byington Road and closing Byington north of Grand, approaching Hillcrest Residence Hall.

'This will complete what is a critical steam and condensate infrastructure and the remainder of a chilled water loop,” said Wendy Moorehead, UI facilities management spokeswoman.

The underground system carries steam generated at the UI Power Plant on the east side of the Iowa River to west-side buildings for heat and, in the case of UI Hospitals and Clinics, sterilization of equipment.

Underground vaults provide access points to maintain steam piping valves and other components.

Grand Avenue's eastbound lanes will reopen by Aug. 1 - when UI students begin migrating back to Iowa City - but the whole project won't be done until as late as October 2018, Moorehead said.

'We are attempting to deliver it early in May 2018,” she said.

Crews will start work in July on an east/west road that runs behind Petersen and Rienow residence halls, and then move around to the parking lot east of Slater Residence Hall, Moorehead said.

An earlier phase of the steam distribution project, which cost $8.5 million and lasted a year, caused lane closures on Riverside Drive, which caused traffic backups during morning and evening commutes.

The UI wanted to get that part of the project done before Iowa City started its $40.6 million Gateway Project, which will raise Dubuque Street and the Park Road bridge over flood levels.

For updates on UI road, sidewalk, entrance and elevator closures, check the Access and Construction website and sign up for automatic email notifications. For questions or concerns, call UI Facilities Management at (319) 335-5500.

l Comments: (319) 339-3157; erin.jordan@thegazette.com