What Has Changed at the Lab: Construction & Infrastructure

As people return to Lab sites, things might look a bit different as infrastructure projects continued during the last two years. In this conversation with Todd Hancock, Division Director of the Projects & Infrastructure Modernization Division, learn about the latest infrastructure projects and their impact.

Q: What are the biggest changes in Construction & Infrastructure since March 2020?

• The biggest and most immediately visible change is the BioEPIC project, which is being constructed next to the Integrated Genomics Building (Building 91). BioEPIC’s groundbreaking was in October 2021 and it is planned to be completed in spring 2024. Expect increased traffic and construction noise related to this project.
• Building 7, the last structure of the Old Town complex, and Building 79 have both been demolished. These buildings were removed as part of larger infrastructure renewal projects that the Lab will see in the coming years.
• This isn’t a visible change yet, but UC is moving forward with the replacement of Centennial Bridge, which is a UC-owned overpass that crosses over Lab property at Lawrence Road near Strawberry Gate. Work around that project, which is projected to begin this summer, may affect traffic and parking in the area.

Q: How will this affect those coming back to the Lab site?

Employees coming to the Lab hill site will see more construction traffic, which will include big trucks, equipment, and construction personnel on the roads. There will be more noise from heavy equipment. None of the traffic patterns have changed, but there’s a fair amount of activity going on that Lab employees should be aware of when they move around the hill site.

Some areas that were previously open for parking will no longer be available, such as the spaces that existed where BioEPIC is now being built.

Q: What more do you want employees to know about construction at the Lab?

I would ask that everyone who comes to the hill site be cognizant of the activities and potential hazards that come from increased construction activity. Pay attention to flaggers and road signs, and drive carefully.