Work is underway for the first of a two-phase project to restore the banks of the Campus River.

Phase I of the restoration work will continue through February. Image courtesy of Capital Planning and Facilities. The first phase includes a section immediately east of Forrest Avenue and south of Woodburn Hall. Some sidewalks and footbridges will be closed through the end of February to enable restoration work during the first phase. In March, the construction zone will move to east, to north of the Conrad Prebys Amphitheater and Bryan House and south of Woodburn Hall, the Lilly Library and IU Auditorium. Work on the second phase is expected to be complete at the end of April.

The iconic Campus River meanders a distance of over two miles across the campus, from the headwaters near Hilltop Gardens to Dunn Meadow and the large culvert at Indiana Avenue.

The “river” is more of a stream, and the restoration efforts are necessitated by the destructive forces of rainfall events. The goal of the project is protecting and preserving this natural feature that serves the campus as both a visual and interactive amenity and as a natural storm water utility.

Current restoration work focuses on the portion of the Campus River that is most vulnerable. This is also an area of campus that is heavily utilized for pedestrian travel. Allowing the contractor space to safely work will require detours for pedestrians and restriction of access to some of the footbridges. Pedestrians should be aware that heavy equipment will be using any of three construction entrances.

Heavy equipment will be used to remove, clean, replace and supplement existing stone walls along the corridor. Existing debris and invasive plant materials will be removed from the restored course. Once structural work is completed, all areas disturbed by restoration efforts will be replanted.