Early Bird

AHEC begins pipeline installation project this week

Pedestrian and vehicular traffic will be affected as buildings are converted from steam to natural gas.

September 24, 2019

Work began Monday on two Auraria Higher Education Center projects that will have significant impacts on pedestrian and vehicular traffic as well as noise levels.

Steam to Natural Gas Project

AHEC’s Steam to Natural Gas project is in full swing. Xcel Energy will install 4,200 feet of new 4-inch gas pipe line along 11^th Street, south from North Classroom, then west on either Champa or Curtis Streets (depending upon utility conflicts) and finally north on 9^th Street. There will also be gas line feeds installed to a number of adjacent buildings, including Boulder Creek, Cherry Creek, Arts, Central, West Classroom, Plaza, PE/Event Center, and Science.

Xcel Energy will install the gas main utilizing directional boring techniques in an attempt to minimize disruption to the campus. Equipment and 40-foot sections of gas pipeline will also be staged on campus.

As the project proceeds, campus users can expect noise and reverberation of noise, especially near the buildings along 11^th Street, including North Classroom, Science, PE/Event Center and the Auraria Library. There will be disruption to the traffic patterns along 11^th Street, with closures in the construction zone area, including some parking spaces closed for access. Work is expected to continue through the end of November.

The construction work related to the conversion portion of the project will take place in the following estimated phases and timelines:

Project updates can be viewed at any time on the AHEC home page under announcements.

PE/Event Center Locker Room and Bleacher Project

Oct. 7-11, 11^th Street will be closed for the installation of a fire service line into PE/Event Center between Larimer and Lawrence Streets. During excavation and installation of the water line, the stairwell leading to the basement of PE/Event Center on the east side of the building will be closed. The main entry on the east side will remain open during construction.

The project teams appreciate your patience, understanding, and cooperation to help maintain a safe environment during construction.

If you have any questions or concerns about either project, please contact AHEC Facilities Services at 303-556-3260.