Ahh, the sounds of summer: the fluid spiraling call of the wood thrush, the lulling babble of nearby streams and creeks ... the rapid-fire blasts from the common jackhammer, the infernal growling of large internal combustion engines. Yes, a full-fledged construction season is upon us, folks. Break out the earplugs and "go placidly amid the noise and haste."

The Campus Planning Office's list of some 120 new capital projects ranging from barn raisings and masonry jobs to the assembly of major multimillion-dollar facilities demonstrate that the Big Red campus is in the throes of a vital growth spurt.

Most of these activities, like the Harford sheep barn roof replacement, will have limited impact on the larger Cornell community. But a few -- some already under way -- will continue to affect traffic flow, parking and pedestrian accessibility for the duration.

The Scene of Most Notable Disruption Award goes to the city of Ithaca's Thurston Avenue Bridge reconstruction project, now in its initial phases. The transportation difficulties posed by the project have been mitigated somewhat through cooperation among city, university and TCAT representatives -- and those commuters most affected by the changes. The bridge has been closed to northbound traffic since March but was reopened for Commencement. It is now back to one southbound lane. The project is slated for completion in fall 2007.

"The adjustments are going well considering the enormous logistical shifts the bridge rehabilitation demands," said David Lieb, assistant director for public information in the Office of Transportation and Mail Services. "It's not easy and it's not going to be easy, especially when the bridge is completely closed for a time next year. But the city and the contractor have been considerate, and we will have to continue to adapt to the situation."

The 2006 construction season was lightened by one proposed project: Groundbreaking plans for a pedestrian plaza in front Bailey Hall have been moved back to spring 2007. However, there will be some preliminary work in the area this summer.

The Bailey Hall renovation itself is on target for completion in August.

With the exception of the plaza delay, projects that affect traffic and parking this year remain pretty much as announced in March. In addition to projects already mentioned, the following construction sites also will have an impact on vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle transportation: the Life Sciences Technology Building (LSTB); the Trolley Foot Bridge that crosses Cascadilla Creek; the Hoy Parking Garage addition; the creation of a staging area for the LSTB in the parking lot between Teagle Hall and Lynah Rink; the staging area for several projects that will close the parking lot behind Thurston and Bard halls; the repair of Campus Road between Judd Falls and Tower roads; and the reconstruction of the intersection at West Avenue and Campus Roads.

For a complete listing of project schedules and contact information, visit the campus construction Web site http://www.aff.cornell.edu/SpecialConditions/CampusConstruction/.