A new road will give residents access to the Northern View Community next year.

The currently unnamed road, which will extend from Lincoln Highway, will eventually provide access to future NIU buildings constructed on the far west side of campus.

“The road was initially built with the Convocation Center, and it will now connect the new apartments to Lincoln Highway,” said Patrick Bell, planning associate for Finance and Facilities.

The project is being funded by general grants received by NIU from the federal government after the Northern View Community was announced.

The current plan is to have the road completed by mid-July, Bell said.

The road will feature an enlarged median with sidewalks on both sides of the street. Trees will be planted along the road in the fall.

In addition to the road, water mains for the community will be constructed, along with several other amenities.

“We are building sanitary sewers, which will be located under the road itself,” Bell said. “Two retention ponds are also in the works to help prevent flooding on campus.”

The Northern View Community is scheduled to open for the 2007-08 academic year.