The Board of Regents has approved construction funds of more than $42 million for NIU for fiscal year 1991 that include a new steam tunnel, a new engineering building and an addition to Montgomery Hall.

Board of Regents Chancellor Roderick Groves recommended the NIU projects at last week’s Regents’ meeting at Illinois State University in Normal.

Funds for expansion plans of Founders Memorial Library and a new instructional and office building are included.

Watson Creek flood control and handicapped accessibility projects also were requested.

Recommendations for FY91 regular capital budgets include funding for projects that were appropriated in FY90 as well as unfunded projects requested previously by the three regency universities.

The Regents govern NIU, ISU and Sangamon State University in Springfield.

The steam tunnel running from Faraday Hall to the Stevens Building costs about $3,160,000. The purpose of this project is to continue to provide the buildings with a reliable flow of steam.

A Regents report stated the sump pumps in the heating manholes continually pump water, and this flow has deteriorated the existing line. This project is a continuation of the replacement of deteriorated steam lines on campus.

The NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology has temporary facilities in Sycamore. The college has requested an on-campus engineering facility, which will cost $19,676,900.

According to the report, it will require about 105,675 gross square feet to provide about 58,000 net square feet for the administrative, instructional and research activities of the college.

The Faraday II project will be completed in spring 1992 and will cost $8 million. All chemistry facilities on the first floor of the existing Faraday building will be turned over to the physics department.

Montgomery Hall will receive an addition that would provide laboratory space for the new physical therapy program and new requirements for the physical education program. It will cost about $1.1 million.

The Library Facilities Planning Committee recommended a westward expansion of Founders Memorial Library, after a year-long study was completed in spring 1987. It will cost $1,032,900.

The Watson Creek flood-control improvements will cost $1,470,800 and the instructional and office building will cost $256,700.

NIU is continuing to accomodate handicapped needs with a handicapped accessibility project costing about $645,000.