The city of Ithaca begins construction March 20 on a major project to widen Thurston Avenue Bridge linking North Campus with Central Campus at Cornell.

Construction on the $8 million project is expected to span more than 18 months, resulting in some disruption for the campus community. The wider bridge will better accommodate pedestrian, bicycle and motor vehicle traffic. Work on the project is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2007.

Cornell will have information available online to answer questions regarding construction schedules, detours and parking lot closures during the upcoming construction season at http://www.aff.cornell.edu/SpecialConditions/CampusConstruction/. The city of Ithaca also will host a Web site with information and updates regarding the Thurston Avenue bridge construction. The city's site is: http://www.cityofithaca.org. Once on the city site, look for a link called "announcements/construction projects." You can also call the city for additional information at (607) 274-6570.

Beginning March 20, the bridge's northbound lane will be closed and one lane will be open to southbound traffic only. At times during the year, the bridge also will be closed to pedestrians, who instead will use the parallel Beebe Lake footbridge. The bridge will be closed to all traffic from late July through Aug. 17, 2006, and from March 1 through Aug. 17, 2007.

Bus routes also will be affected by the construction. Ten separate TCAT bus routes currently cross the bridge. The heavily used routes provide connections between Cornell's A and B parking lots and the Central Campus area; between North Campus and Central and West Campus; and between the Ithaca Commons and Pyramid Mall.

The upgraded bridge will include wider sidewalks with lighted guardrails, new bicycle lanes and wider traffic lanes. Construction will be done by Economy Paving Co. Inc. of Cortland, N.Y., and coordinated by the city of Ithaca, in cooperation with Cornell's Division of Facilities Services. The university will be making additional information available to the campus community and visitors about the project in the days ahead.

Sam Juriga, resident engineer for the city of Ithaca, cautions pedestrians and motorists to obey construction signs and flaggers and proceed with caution when going through the construction zone. "Temporary delays may be encountered as work is done across the intersection, so we are asking everyone to please be patient," Juriga said.

"The bridge construction is going to be a major consideration for TCAT buses and riders," said TCAT operations manager Nancy Oltz. Route detours are being planned, and TCAT will distribute revised schedules to help riders plan ahead. During the bridge construction, riders are advised to allow a little extra travel time. For more information, TCAT riders can call 277-RIDE or check the TCAT Web site at http://www.tcatbus.com, which will have updated information beginning next week.