Several Summer Campus Maintenance Projects Set to Begin The extensive collection of projects could cause minor pedestrian and vehicular closures and detours for the campus community.

By Brian Laubscher
May 29, 2025

Washington and Lee University will begin a series of campus maintenance projects during the summer months. A majority of these projects will begin June 3 and could pose minor interruptions to the flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic through campus. For your safety, please remain vigilant and obey all posted signage.

Elrod Commons
Work began on the structural stabilization of the back patio outside The Marketplace in April, and maintenance in this area will continue in June with the construction of an ADA-compliant ramp providing access to The Marketplace and lower levels of Elrod Commons. As part of this project, the wooden footbridge connecting the Wilson Field Footbridge to Elrod Commons will be closed for all foot traffic except those requiring ADA access. This work is expected to be completed by mid-August.

Wilson Field Footbridge
The concrete stairs located at the end of the Wilson Field Footbridge leading to Cannan Green will be replaced starting in early June. This work is expected to last approximately six weeks. Until the new stairs reopen in late July, pedestrians seeking access to Cannan Green and Elrod Commons are asked to use the concrete stairs directly opposite the Sorority Footbridge that lead directly to the main entrance of the Duchossois Athletics and Recreation Center. From there, pedestrians can walk on the sidewalk around the athletics center to access Cannan Green and the front campus.

Sorority Footbridge
The bridge leading to the sorority houses will receive preventative maintenance to the walking surface and railings. This work will close the bridge to pedestrian traffic between June 3 and mid-August. Additionally, the work will require the closure of East Denny Circle, Woods Creek Trail and Frank Parsons Way on the days when the construction is occurring above those streets. Warning signs will be posted in these areas when they are closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic. These closures will also be communicated to the university community in advance of those temporary diversions.

University Parking Garage
The University Parking Garage will also be receiving preventative maintenance beginning June 3. The work is expected to close the top two levels of the garage and will restrict access to the EV charging stations until the work is complete. Campus community members are encouraged to utilize the lower two levels of the garage until the work is complete around the July 4 holiday.

Washburn Tennis Courts (Lower Courts)
A renovation of the lower Washburn Tennis Courts will commence June 3. The improvements will entail stripping all the courts down to grade, followed by a complete reconstruction of the playing surface. The courts will be repainted to include additional doubles courts and will feature markings to accommodate pickleball. Additionally, the courts will receive new protective fencing and electrical and conduit infrastructure to support the future addition of lights. The project is expected to be completed by Sept. 1.

Campus Utility Infrastructure
The first step in updating the campus utility infrastructure will begin on June 3. This ambitious step toward modernizing the campus’s heating and cooling systems begins with laying new pipes between the heating/cooling building and Woods Creek Apartments. The work will be completed mid-August, but campus community members should be aware this work will cause occasional road closures for East Denny Circle. The closures will be communicated to the university community in advance.

For updates on all of the university’s capital projects, please visit the Capital Projects update page on the University Facilities website.