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As construction progresses at Washington University Medical Center, some temporary but significant changes to links connecting buildings will take place. Three separate areas of the link system will be affected. Steps are being taken to minimize inconveniences for employees, patients and visitors.
The Campus Integration Plan team spent several months conducting an exhaustive analysis of alternatives to find an affordable and less disruptive path. Unfortunately, it is not possible to complete the Ambulatory Care Center/Siteman Cancer Center and the McDonnell Pediatric Research Building without affecting routine use of the links. To minimize this inconvenience, a special shuttle service will transport patients between the north and south sides of campus.
Representatives from the School of Medicine and BJC Health System have been working together for several months to schedule these changes during warmer months. All detours will be marked clearly with signs, and maps will be available in future weeks.
First, on March 15, the link between the Clinical Sciences Research Building and the Eric P. Newman Education Center will close. This section of the link will be demolished and a new link constructed through the McDonnell Pediatric Research Building. The new link is expected to open by August.
During construction of the new link, the direct indoor path from the employee shuttle depot through the Eric P. Newman Education Center to St. Louis Children's Hospital, the Clinical Sciences Research Building (CSRB) and Barnes-Jewish Hospital North will be out of service. A path through the Euclid Garage that separates pedestrians from vehicles will provide covered access to Children's Hospital, the CSRB and Barnes-Jewish Hospital North. Additional security will patrol the area at night.
Second, the link immediately north of Children's Hospital to Barnes-Jewish Hospital North will close April 1. This section of the link currently leads into the remaining section of the old Barnes-Jewish Hospital North Garage, which must be demolished for the construction of the Ambulatory Care Center. Completion of a new permanent link is expected in November.
Beginning April 1, stairs will be built from the existing link to the sidewalk. A covered walkway also will be built from the base of the stairs to Parkview Place. Construction of this detour is expected to be completed by April 10.
From April 1 through 10, to access Barnes-Jewish Hospital North, employees will be detoured through Children's Hospital to the street level and out the valet parking return area through the Yalem Building. On April 10, the stairs and walk will provide access to Barnes-Jewish Hospital North from Children's Hospital and Barnes-Jewish Hospital South.
From April 1 through November, the temporary route will not be accessible to wheelchairs or carts. Security will install a card reader at the Yalem Building entrance, and a second closed-circuit TV camera to monitor Parkview Place. A uniformed security officer will patrol Parkview Place and the covered walkway and stairs from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., and the bike patrol will continue its normal coverage of the area.
Third, on April 3, the link over Forest Park Avenue that connects the Forest Park Garage with Barnes-Jewish Hospital North will be rerouted into the Waldheim Ambulatory Care Building. The link currently leads into the remaining section of the old Barnes-Jewish Hospital North Garage, which must be demolished for construction of the Ambulatory Care Building. Construction of a temporary detour into the Waldheim Building will begin in March.
The new temporary route will enter the fourth floor of the Waldheim Building via stairs from the current link. This temporary bridge will not be accessible to wheelchairs or carts. The elevators in the Waldheim Building will provide access to Barnes-Jewish Hospital north. The permanent link, which will be built into the Ambulatory Care Building, is expected to be completed in September.
For additional information, call the Campus Integration construction hot line at 953-1970.
