Ohio University is continuing a section-by-section restoration of the South Green catwalks, parts of which contain holes and cracked supports.
Richard Shultz, Ohio University's director of implementation, said the project is a much-needed repair of the catwalks and the pillars below, which were constructed in the late 1960s.
(The catwalks) have deteriorated significantly over time
Shultz said.
This year, the section of the catwalk around Fenzel House is completely closed off, as are the walkways beneath it. In the past, the restorations only involved refilling patches of crumbling concrete and didn't require closing off sections for extended periods of time.- said David Brown, project manager for University Planning and Implementation, refusing further comment.
A construction crew is restoring not only the concrete surface but also the support structure, railings and the electrical lines running beneath the walkway, making the job more labor-intensive, Shultz said.
The catwalk restoration project, funded by Auxiliary Services, started after state inspectors determined that the catwalks needed repairs several years ago during routine inspections. Facilities Management department inspects the catwalks regularly, as does a state inspector, Shultz said.
This year's project received $350,000 in funding, but is running just under $320,000, according to a UPI budget plan.Mick Harris, director of Maintenance, said that the university is taking on the project in phases and the Fenzel section marks the eighth in the series.
Officials could not say for sure when the entire project will be completed.
Previous phases have seen minor repairs to other individual areas of the catwalk, including the brick supports, guardrails and the utility lines that run beneath the walkways.
Harris said that this year's phase is an overall structural rehabilitation encompassing all these areas on one section at one time.
Shultz said the project has seen no delays and is fully on schedule.
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Darin McKenzie of DC Byers Construction, Dayton, works to repair the catwalks near Fenzel House.
