Diag Construction Brings Delays, Accessibility Upgrades

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The heart of the University of Michigan campus, the Diag, remains under construction as crews continue a series of long-planned infrastructure upgrades. While the project promises safer walkways, improved drainage, and greater accessibility, the delays have left many students navigating detours well into the fall semester.

Three major improvements are underway: replacing the Diag’s deteriorated brick pavers and their weakened concrete base, enhancing drainage systems to reduce flooding in low-lying areas, and constructing a new accessible ramp at the north entrance of the Hatcher Graduate Library.

The upgrades are part of a broader effort to address years of wear and tear caused by Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles and heavy foot traffic. The Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant ramp will supplement the existing entrance on the library’s south side, offering more inclusive access.

Originally scheduled for completion before the start of the semester, the work has stretched beyond August deadlines. In an email to The Michigan Daily, Marina Roelofs, the University’s co-interim associate vice president for facilities and operations, confirmed the timeline has been pushed back.

“The brick paver replacement is expected to be completed in September,” Roelofs wrote. “The Hatcher Ramp will be completed in October. On the Diag, the walkway portion of the drainage project is expected to be completed in September, with work north and west of Angell Hall continuing into late fall.”

The setbacks were largely due to unexpected deterioration discovered beneath the surface“The brick paver project, originally scheduled for completion in August, experienced delays following the discovery that the concrete subbase beneath the bricks was more deteriorated than original assessments indicated,” Roelofs explained. “The Hatcher ramp project is also progressing after a delay due to the necessary replacement of deteriorated, underlying building stone that was not evident until the old ramp, which was not ADA-compliant, was removed.”

Beyond accessibility, the project also prioritizes sustainability and tree health. Redesigned sidewalks now slope to direct rainwater into catch basins that return water to the soil. Workers have also introduced air spading to loosen compacted soil, added compost to nourish roots, and in some cases, released earthworms to aerate the soil naturally. The drainage and tree health work is on track to meet its October 17 completion date.

Still, students say the construction has complicated their daily routines. Freshman Claire Cowing described her early weeks on campus as particularly challenging.

“The first week that I was here, it was really hard to walk around the Diag and get through all the construction while also trying to understand where all the buildings were,” Cowing said. “Also, I feel like a big selling point that you hear in all the tours is the big M and ‘Don’t walk over it.’ And even though I don’t want to walk over it, I didn’t even get the chance to look at it, until recently.”

The campus work coincides with Ann Arbor’s State Street Watermain and Resurfacing Project, which is adding protected bike lanes and a transit lane. That project has closed State Street between South University Avenue and East William Street until mid-November, compounding mobility challenges.

“The Diag construction wasn’t nearly as bad or inconvenient as the State Street construction, which is also probably pretty important, considering they’re digging up a whole street,” Cowing said. “It’s still really hard and confusing, especially due to the limited paths. You have to walk across all of State Street just to get to the other side. And then by that point, you’re already five minutes late, at least.”

Student leaders have voiced concerns about the timing and communication of the projects. Central Student Government president Eric Veal Jr., a senior, said the improvements are necessary but disruptive.

“Students should be able to use the Diag at any time they need it, and the fact that this construction is taking place right now at all times, especially on the heels of parent and family weekend, it’s hard, and I think it also takes away from the beauty of our campus,” Veal Jr. said. “I’m very excited about the projects because it will help make our campus more accessible. But I just think right now, there also is a huge accessibility issue because there are so many students here.”

He added that the University should place greater emphasis on engaging with students before deciding on construction timelines.

“I understand, with the current environment we’re in, prices are consistently changing, dates are having to be pushed back because of different shortages and other things like that,” Veal Jr. said. “But I simultaneously think that communicating with students, talking to student government … should be a huge priority when we’re talking about when these projects are happening, as well as having student feedback.”

While the projects promise a revitalized and more inclusive campus space once completed, students will have to endure months of construction detours and restricted access before they can fully experience the upgrades.

Originally reported by Carter Carino in The Michigan Daily.