By HAYLEY HARMON
6 News Anchor/Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - The University of Tennessee is gearing up for the arrival of thousands of incoming freshmen this weekend.
Saturday is move-in day, when campus will become home to nearly 7,000 students.
Officials with UT Facilities Services say they're doing all they can to make getting around on campus this weekend as smooth as possible.
The campus is undergoing the most construction it's ever seen at one time.
The facilities department says that's a double-edged sword. "It's great, but of course there's some short term inconveniences and we're doing everything we can to try to minimize that," said Davie Irvin, assistant vice chancellor of facilities services.
Construction projects like the new Student Union building and new residence hall are not complete, but the university has tried to speed up the process before all the brand new students arrive.
"We've had a number of contractors that have done overtime trying to finish up projects, particularly anything involving streets," Irvin said.
A lot of main roads have been blocked off all summer. To help with increased traffic on move-in day, the roads will be open on Saturday. They include:
- Phillip Fulmer Way between Cumberland Avenue and Middle Way Drive
- Middle Way Drive at the intersection of Phillip Fulmer Way
- Peyton Manning Pass
UT sophomore Tadd Minton remembers his own move-in day. "Freshmen move-in day is crazy. I remember it from last year. It was pretty packed," he said.
Minton says it's a bit more of a hassle getting around campus this year, but he understands the necessity of it as the university makes improvements.
"We're doing everything we can to finish up the projects so that they'll be ready for move-in day tomorrow and for classes next week," Irvin said.
Extra police officers will direct traffic on campus this weekend for the big move in.
Several roads will remain closed, including sections of Andy Holt Avenue and Chamique Holdsclaw Drive.
One iconic part of campus that will be accessible again when classes start is The Rock. It was fenced off for the last month due to construction on the new Natalie L. Haslam Music Center.
The campus is undergoing the most construction it's ever seen at one time.
Some roads are reopen to help avoid traffic tie-ups.
