Structural steel goes up: What to expect in Carver construction this week

Western Today staff

April 5, 2016

Construction continues on the Carver Academic Facility construction project on Western Washington University's Bellingham campus.

The project includes replacement of the building center section with a three-story addition and wrapping the east and south sides with new structure and glass windows and other exterior openings. The project will address urgently needed seismic reinforcement throughout the facility, replace numerous aging building systems, provide improved disabled access to classrooms, labs and offices, and allow for much better use of academic spaces.

Live video feeds of the construction project are available on the project website from the WWU Office of Facilities Development and Capital Budget.

Here's what to expect the week of April 3:

  • Gym C Addition (south side): Workers will build form for pile caps and grade beams and place reinforcing bars.
  • Workers will begin erecting structural steel for the first two floors in the center section. Iron workers will work 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday this week. Beginning next week, they will work Monday through Thursday.
  • Workers will lift air handling units to the center corridor via crane and then move them into the 1970 and 1935 buildings.
  • Gym A: Work will continue on underground plumbing.

And for the week of April 10:

  • The steel erection in the center section will continue.
  • East Side Addition: Workers will prepare the grade for the concrete slab.
  • Gym A: Underground plumbing work will continue.
  • Gym C Addition: Workers will continue placing concrete for pile caps and backfill.

Continuing noise impacts include:

  • Back-up beepers
  • Concrete pumper trucks on the south and east areas of the construction area
  • Cranes and welding/air compressor equipment noise associated with steel erection process

Note:

  • Be aware of “just in time” structural steel deliveries entering campus from the south on extra-long trucks.
  • The arc welding used in the steel frame construction process is harmless when viewed from a distance and the contractor will shield the welding activities where possible. However, prolonged exposure (viewing for extended periods of time) or use of magnifying devices could lead to issues, even from a distance, and should be avoided.

For more information, contact Dale Krause, construction coordinator at 360-650-4646 or dale.krause@wwu.edu.