Construction in the Wirtz Quadrangle, which is scheduled to begin Sept. 4, will cause longer trips for pedestrians and vehicle traffic for the rest of the fall semester.

Campus officials fear the construction will cause even more congestion through the already crowded corridor. Students are being urged to avoid the area between the temporarily vacated University Health Service Building and Wirtz Hall starting next week.

Patty Perkins, assistant to Eddie Williams, director of Finance and Planning, said pedestrians should use Lucinda Avenue to ease congestion because the west end of the project along the health center will be fenced off. “There will be lots of heavy machinery and no vehicular traffic,” Perkins said.

The University Police station, which is located next to the health service building, also will be involved in the snarl.

Perkins added the project’s goal is more than improving the area’s appearance but reducing the conflict between pedestrian and vehicle traffic that has plagued the area.

Work on the $43,000 project includes new curbs and asphalt which should be completed by December. Rough grading for landscaping will be done next spring when trees and shrubs can be planted.

Other projects in the works near the quadrangle, including asbestos removal from the health service building and impending improvements on Lucinda Avenue, will not affect the constuction.

The health service renovation includes only indoor work and construction on Lucinda Avenue is still pending Gov. James Thompson’s signature, Perkins said.