The fences that halted access to DuSable Hall all summer were torn down Wednesday afternoon, revealing a million-dollar landscape that is nearly finished in time for the fall semester.

The project includes a complete overhaul of the landscaping in front of DuSable, as well as a reconstruction of the University Circle – the loop that used to stretch from Lucinda Avenue to the door of DuSable and to Carroll Avenue.

Now the shorter loop is for buses only, said Laura Lundelius, acting coordinator of the university parking services.

One of the major reasons for the reconstruction was to reduce the congestion of parking, buses and students during peak times.

“We’re really hoping that the bus traffic is smoother now, and more importantly, on time,” Lundelius said. “Students will be more inclined to take the bus to class if they are on time.”

University Parking Services is also enforcing a no-idling rule in the bus loop and Lot 20, just outside the newly renovated Chick Evans Field House. Idling in these areas will be considered parking in a no-parking zone, and students caught will be fined $40. Someone will be stationed in the loop today to keep cars out of the area, said Bob Albanese, associate vice president of finance and facilities.

“We’re even considering placing a gate at the entrance so that only vehicles with a transponder to open the gate can enter.”

The new mall-like area in front of DuSable is consistent with the landscape renovations that have taken place in the last few years throughout campus. With an emphasis on tile designs and color, this renovation carries the same style as the project completed in 2002 outside Cole Hall and through the area preceding the library.

The consistent use of similar materials, colors and themes is part of the “campus mall extension project,” Albanese said. The main idea is to create a continuous pedestrian walkway from the Holmes Student Center to Stadium Drive, he said. Similar construction also has taken place outside Stevenson Towers and Douglas Hall in the Central Park area.

Though the project is still four to six weeks from complete, the fences were torn down so students can conveniently get to DuSable. The project is 80 percent done, said Tim Bridges of Rockford Blacktop.