A drainage problem causing puddles in the North Quad will be fixed as the weather warms and heavy construction equipment moves out of the quad.

Heavy equipment used during the construction of the University Food Court to install new windows, to enclose the north patio and the to build the addition of the mechanical equipment room along the west side of the food court, has torn up the landscape in the North Quad, said Carol Strode, director of Facilities Planning and Management.

The equipment has torn out grass in the area and caused deep tracks that have stopped rain water from naturally seeping into the ground, Strode said.

Without the grass, water pours out onto walkways in the quad, especially north of the food court and west of the Student Services building.

To fix the problem, Strode said new drainage pipes will be added in May to take the excess water that does not soak into the ground more quickly and new sidewalks will be installed in the North Quad.

The work cannot start until may after the major pieces of equipment that are causing the problem are no longer needed for construction. Then, the ground can be prepared, graded and seeded. Straw will be applied so grass can grow and water can soak in naturally.

The work will progress as weather permits through the summer months.

The university is hoping to complete the project by the fall semester, Strode said.

The estimated the cost to improve drainage and replace sidewalks in the most problematic areas throughout campus is more than $100,000, Strode said.

Funds for the project will be taken from a deferred maintenance fund, she said.