Notice for students regarding College Drive construction project

As you may know, access to Nipissing University is currently affected by a construction project on College Drive.When travelling to campus you should expect and plan for some delays, and may wish to alter your planned route or mode of transportation.Walking to campus
Students are strongly encouraged to take the city bus (your student card is also a bus pass).
Pedestrian access is currently a significant challenge due to construction in the immediate vicinity of Nipissing’s South entrance. We are optimistic that pedestrian access will improve within a few weeks but in the meantime, please consider taking the bus.Under no circumstances should students, staff or visitors walk through the Construction Areas, as there is heavy equipment under operation and large excavations, making this area unsafe for pedestrians.
Nipissing is working with the City of North Bay and the contractors to create a safe pedestrian route; however, students are encouraged to use city transit until the construction project is complete.Driving to Campus
College Drive is currently reduced to a single lane controlled by traffic lights and can have long delays. To avoid the construction project, vehicles travelling from Downtown North Bay can take Hwy 11N, turn left (West) at Cedar Heights Rd. (just after the Mr. Gas), and then turn left (South) on College Dr. at the 4-way stop.
The construction work being is being undertaken by the City of North Bay and includes the replacement of a water main and some new water infrastructure to better service campus and the homes and businesses on the escarpment.
When completed, the project will also feature a 4-metre wide paved and lit pathway connecting the main campus to the lower residence area and including a controlled crosswalk across College Drive. Similar to the Kate Pace Way, the new path greatly improves opportunity for cycling, walking and running on College Drive. While the construction delays are definitely a pain, there is a silver lining for students, faculty, staff and community members to enjoy.
Nipissing University is communicating with the contractors completing the construction on College Drive to provide a rough outline of expectations.
Please keep in mind that the following timelines are not absolute, and delays are normal and expected in projects of this nature.
The South driveway entrance/exit to campus is expected to reopen in 2-3 weeks.
The North driveway entrance/exit to campus is expected to close in 4-5 weeks. At that time, a temporary driveway will be opened in the vicinity, allowing for campus to maintain two separate entrances/exits.
Paving to the walkway is expected to begin in 3-4 weeks.
While construction will continue, College Drive should be able to accommodate two lanes of traffic in 4-5 weeks.
The entire project is expected to be complete by early November.