Construction of Virginia Tech's new classroom building, scheduled to begin Nov. 8, will have significant impact to traffic and parking on the north end of campus.

Because the new classroom building will be located at the corner of West Campus Drive and Perry Street, most of the Derring Parking Lot will be permanently closed. As part of the project, Perry Street near West Campus Drive will be realigned and temporarily closed.

The much anticipated building will contain flexible learning space with classrooms that can be subdivided and readily reconfigured. Some rooms will be configured as SCALE-UP classrooms that encourage interaction among students and faculty. The building will hold 15 new classrooms and four teaching laboratories with seats for more than 1,450 students.

“The classroom building will significantly improve the classroom experience on campus and help transform one of the main entrances to campus," said Sherwood Wilson, vice president for administration. "However, the building’s construction will affect traffic and parking in the North Academic Precinct."

When construction begins, Perry Street will be closed to through traffic from West Campus Drive to the parking garage. Traffic on West Campus Drive should not be affected. In addition, vehicles still will be able to enter and exit the parking garage from Perry Street as well as Prices Fork Road.

While construction is scheduled to begin Nov. 8, weather or other factors could affect the start date.

Crews will erect a fence around the construction area, which will encompass much of the Derring Parking Lot. In addition, three rows of parking spaces in the Commuter/Graduate Lot will be affected due to the Perry Street realignment. A small section of the Derring lot near Bishop-Favrao Hall will remain open until the end of the fall semester when it will become a construction staging area.

During construction, some spaces in the Commuter/Graduate Lot across Perry Street will be converted to faculty and staff parking. Parking for commuter and graduate students will be in other nearby spaces, inside the parking garage, or in the Duckpond and Smithfield parking lots off Duckpond Drive.

An additional bus stop has been added off Duckpond Drive near the Smithfield Lot to accommodate additional traffic.

Handicap accessible parking will be available during construction in the Pamplin Parking Lot between Derring and Pamplin halls and in spaces just north of Derring Hall.

Pedestrian walkways will be maintained on the west and east side of the construction area. However, there could be temporary closures of the walkways due to construction activities. Alternative paths will be available if necessary.

There is a potential for vibrations and noise to affect nearby buildings, especially during construction of the classroom building’s foundation.

Future development in the North Academic Precinct, including the Multi-Model Transit Facility scheduled to be built in 2016, may further impact parking and transportation in the area.

“We know parking will be an issue for those who currently park in that region of campus, and we’re working to minimize the impact as much as possible,” said Lisa Wilkes, assistant vice president for business services. “We’re currently looking at several different strategies, but those who park in the area should prepare for significant changes.”

One option for students, faculty, and staff is Blacksburg Transit. Anyone with a valid Hokie Passport can ride the bus for free. Other options include carpooling, vanpooling, bicycling, or parking in other areas of campus. Call the Alternative Transportation Office at 540-231-0248 for information.

For questions about parking changes, contact the Parking and Transportation Office at Phone 540–231–3200.