Inside Clemson

Highway 93 to undergo construction, starting April 15

 

Pic of Hwy 93 constructionBy Jackie Todd, Office of University Relations

Beginning April 15, selected lanes of Walter T. Cox Boulevard (Highway 93) will be closed for utility construction that will last through the summer.

While much of Clemson’s main campus is seeing improvements from the ground up, its underground utility infrastructure dates back to the 1960s.

Workers will close portions of the road in segments while they upgrade the electrical infrastructure and chilled water lines for increased reliability to campus and to serve current and future campus utility demands.

Hwy. 93 Construction overall picVery limited access on Highway 93

The first phase of this work will begin on Highway 93 between Cherry Road (near the president’s house) and Calhoun Drive (near Sikes Hall). At that time, Highway 93 will be reduced from four to two lanes, with one lane for eastbound traffic and one lane for westbound traffic.

Hwy. 93 Construction April and May closurespic

Phase two of the project will take place in the middle of May, when construction will close Highway 93 from Cherry Road to College Avenue. At that time, access will be limited to construction and emergency vehicles and local residents who require access to their residences along Daniel Drive.

Hwy. 93 Construction May to Aug pic

In mid- to late July, the final phase of the project will close the portion of Highway 93 from College Avenue to Williamson Road. During construction, three of the four lanes will be closed and one lane will accommodate westbound traffic only.

Hwy. 93 Construction overall road closurespic

 

Drivers traveling to and around the main campus should use Perimeter Road and avoid Highway 93 as much as possible.

Short-term inconvenience

Campus Utility Services Director Tony Putnam said the plan is to complete the major part of the work during the summer when there is less traffic and before football season and the start of fall semester in August. That may depend a lot on the weather and unforeseen factors. If construction is delayed, crews will temporarily open all lanes on football Saturdays.

Crews will be installing new electric distribution systems to make the system more reliable and meet power demands that couldn’t be foreseen 50 years ago. Pipes also will be installed to supply chilled water that is used to air condition buildings.

The construction of the new College of Business building across from Bowman Field also will contribute to the lane closures.

“We ask that people be patient during these projects and use Perimeter Road and other routes to avoid the construction zone,” Putnam said. “If it’s necessary to drive on Highway 93, please drive slowly through construction zones so workers will be safe.”

Things to know

  • Detour signs, electronic message boards and smart phone wayfinding apps will be changed to alert motorists.
  • Pedestrians should follow the detour signs that will be placed around the construction zones.
  • Those who are traveling to downtown Clemson should use Highway 123.

Resources
A number of departments will provide updates on their webpages.

Read more updates as they become available.