Digging has stopped in the South Quad and students will soon travel campus without tall fences lining the walkway once warmer weather sets in.

Workers finished the exterior work of the installation of the chilled water loop project in the beginning of February. That date was ahead of schedule from the planned completion date of Feb. 22, Carol Strode, interim director of Facilities Planning and Management, said Tuesday.

The chilled water loop is part of the campus-wide energy conservation project and Strode said once the weather is warmer workers will begin to “grade” the South Quad ground to smooth it and make it level, which will improve drainage in that area and make it one step closer to completion.

In addition, all ditches will be covered, grass seed will be planted and the ground will be covered with straw to keep continual moisture on the new lawn. However, Strode said all of the finishing touches to the South Quad are “weather dependent.”

Strode said the work left to complete the water loop is being done inside in the “one to several” mechanical equipment rooms in each campus building. The equipment rooms will control heating, air conditioning and ventilation of the new energy conservation system.

Strode said the entire water loop project will be completed by April and ready for use in time for air conditioning season.

The chilled water loop works as one air conditioning unit that controls air temperature throughout campus and is the first phase of the $10.8 million energy conservation project being completed by Honeywell, Co.

The project, which began in October of 2001, is expected to save the university $10.8 million over ten years or Honeywell, Co. will pay the difference.

Already completed through the energy project was phase two, the installation of new lighting and more water-efficient toilets, faucets and shower heads throughout campus buildings over winter break, Strode said.