Gates, blocked streets and rerouted buses are some of the signs that even more construction projects have come to Champaign-Urbana. Some of the projects are to refurbish streets, but they can be a pain to commuting students and to the area surrounding the campus.

As part of Champaign's 2003 Concrete Street Maintenance Project, construction began earlier this month for Mayfair Drive from Broadmoor Drive to Old Farm Road, according to the city's Web site. The contractor for the project is Feutz Contractors, Inc.

Project superintendent Ryan Huttes said the construction crews will be replacing the old and deteriorating concrete and patching both sides of the streets. He said the company has a contract with the city to do construction around the city.

"We did (construction) on North Neil, by the mall, and we did Sixth and Green streets last year," he said. "We're just a little bit everywhere."

Huttes said the construction projects would not directly affect the campus or those who live close to campus.

City of Champaign engineer technician Will Holland agrees.

Holland said the city received a lot of concerns about the condition of the streets and the pavement was in bad condition. He said there will be two flagmen directing traffic in the area, but there will be a bit of congestion in the streets.

"It will be congested in the morning and evening hours, but it won't affect the campus area at all," he said. "The area is primarily single family homes, but not a high density of students."

According to the Champaign city Web site, people are instructed not to park near areas under construction and to use alternate routes whenever possible. Huttes said the project should end on Oct. 17.

On Oct. 3, Peabody Drive will open from Dorner to parking lot F-28, according to the Urbana city Web site.

Elizabeth Tyler of the Urbana community development department said the construction at Gregory Street between Oregon and Nevada streets will be for a 21,000 square-foot commercial space. The first level will contain businesses and offices and the second level will contain one and two bedroom apartments.

"The four-story building will be a commercial replacement to the property the city lost about 13 years ago," she said. "This will be a way to bring the commercial aspect back to the area."

Campus construction affects campus residents, but some have learned to live with it.

Sophomore in business Nina Peykova said the construction is an ongoing process that becomes a part of daily life.

"It really doesn't get in my way … I can live with it but it's inconvenient," she said.

Kang-Mei Hsu, sophomore in LAS, agrees, but resents the growing number of construction projects.

"I'm fine with it except for there's a big ditch (on Oregon and Gregory streets) in the street that's going to be there until we graduate," she said.