Faculty and staff colleagues, 

Back in April, I asked for your thoughts and feedback to help guide the University’s response to the upcoming Commercial Street Bridge replacement on Interstate 376, which will occur from July 10 to August 3. 

I am grateful to everyone who took the time to share their feedback with us. Across more than 160 survey responses, we heard concerns about increased stress and commute times, suggestions for temporary work accommodations, and ideas for adjusting campus events and operations during the I-376 closure. 

Based on the feedback received, and in consultation with campus leaders, we developed the following recommendations for the closure period: 

• Encourage Remote Work Flexibility: As appropriate, supervisors are encouraged to temporarily increase remote work flexibility for their units. These determinations should be made on a per-unit basis, as some units may still require a physical presence on campus during this period. Employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement should continue to follow the terms and conditions outlined within their respective agreements.
• Ensure Students Remain Supported: Given that students will still be on campus during the bridge replacement, it is important that any remote work flexibility offered during this period does not adversely impact our students’ experience. 
• Review In-Person Events and Activities: Units hosting in-person events or meetings during the closure period may consider adjusting plans to accommodate longer commute times. This might include hybrid options, alternate dates, adjusted start and end times, etc.
• Review Latest PennDOT Guidance: PennDOT has developed detailed maps of the closure, as well as suggested detour routes and suggestions for how best to navigate this disruption. You can view PennDOT’s detour maps and directions here. PennDOT has shared that while detour routes are suggested, the potential volume of traffic may still result in slow and delayed travel. 

We are also working on contingency planning in case the bridge construction lasts longer than the scheduled 25 days. We will continue to monitor construction progress and will share additional guidance as needed. 

As always, I’m thankful to each of you for helping us to prepare for this temporary disruption. If you have any questions about the closure or its impact on your unit, I encourage you to reach out to your supervisor. You can also continue to share thoughts and feedback with my office by filling out this Qualtrics survey. 

Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!

Kind regards, 

David

David J. Dausey, Ph.D., Ed.D.
President-Elect
Duquesne University