When students, faculty and staff return to campus at the end ofJanuary, they may be in for a real traffic treat near the corner ofMontezuma Road and 55th Street.

That’s where construction crews will be widening the streets inorder to complete Parking Structure V and the AzTrack.

“We’re hoping to do this work during Winter Break, but it probablywon’t be finished until February,” said Will Nighswonger, facilityplanner for San Diego State University.

He said the primary task is to widen the surrounding streets tofit the anticipated traffic the structure will bring. Hardy Avenuewill be straightened, and an additional lane will be added to 55thStreet.

A new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection ofHardy Avenue and 55th Street.

The turn pocket on Montezuma Road will also be widened to allowU-turns.

“We expect one-third of the people entering the structure willmake U-turns because they won’t have to wait for the light tochange,” said Larry Piper, facilities and transportation planner forSDSU.

PS V is scheduled to open April 1, 2000, adding 1,436 parkingspaces, including 28 handicap spaces and four spaces for electricalvehicles. The AzTrack field, to be located on top of the parkingstructure, will open Fall 2000.

The main entrance will be off 55th Street onto the second level ofthe structure. The second entrance will be on Montezuma Road and letoff on the first level.

The structure was first proposed in Spring 1998, and constructionbegan in Fall 1998.

The complete structure will cost approximately $19.5 million,Nighswonger said.

AzTrack will consist of an eight-lane running track with thesoccer field in the middle. The track will be equipped with areas forshot put, javelin and long jump.

“It will be a state-of-the-art track,” Piper said. “It’s (made of)a high-tech rubber material that is the latest, greatest stuff forrunning on.”