Spring Break
Oxford to close part of Chestnut Street for 45 days
Anna Michael, The Miami Student
Issue date: 3/23/04 Section: Front Page
Detour signs will soon be posted in Oxford as the city plans to close part of Chestnut Street for 45 days.Construction will begin March 29 on the sanitary sewer that runs along the east end of the Chestnut Street, the south end of Campus Avenue, and across the field near the Recreation Center's tennis courts.According to Oxford City Engineer Andy Orth, the sewer system needs to be upgraded and relocated so that Miami University can start construction on the proposed ice arena.Because Chestnut Street is a major east-west throughway in Oxford, there are concerns about the traffic that will end up on Spring and High streets and the accessibility of the dorms on south quad.Orth said that detour signs will be posted to help motorists navigate the city. Another concern is the traffic problems that could occur during graduation and move-out.But Orth said the city is hoping to have the road opened by that time."They plan to be finished in 45 days," he said. "The goal is to have Chestnut open when it's move out time."However, 45 days after the start date is May 12 - five days after spring semester exams are over.Orth said if the sewer is still under construction, the city might open the road temporarily.The Oxford Police Department also is not concerned about the extra traffic that could end up in town."There is never a good time whenever you do road work, but the road work has to be done," Detective Sgt. John Buchholz said. "We can get through this."Buchholz said people will just have to be understanding of the traffic."Most people in town and the police learn to be patient," he said.
