A new year always means new things and not too long from now, Varsity Drive will be expanded.

“Originally, we had planned for four lanes having the roads extend to the baseball field,” Scott Noble, the project manager for N.C. State construction, said. “Because of funding, we’ve reduced the extension to two lanes.”

Noble said the project to extend Varsity Drive is something that has been in the books for quite some time.

“There will be better access to that part of campus once the construction is complete,” Noble said. “The McKimmon Center and the visitor center will be accessed easily.”

Noble said the project is costing a little over $720,000 and will be completed in August of this year.

Project designer Steve Bostian said construction will add 1,300 feet to Varsity Drive and will consequently add a stop light to Western Boulevard, less than a quarter mile from its intersection with Dan Allen Drive.

Christine Klein, information and communication specialist for the Department of Transportation, said that completion of the project will result in better things for the entire campus.

“It will be better for everyone once the construction is completed,” Klein said.

Noble said students need to be cautious when they are near the construction area.

“As with any construction site, there is heavy equipment so students have to be careful,” Noble said.

Noble gave an extra word of caution for joggers.

“Joggers need to be extra careful, especially at nighttime,” Noble said.

“I used to have a five mile route which I changed after the construction began,” said Carla Babb, a senior in communication and political science.

Babb said she is unaffected by the construction unless she wants to go near Trinity Commons, which she previously accessed via Varsity Drive. Babb prefers having the changes occur this semester if it means improvements long term, although she may not be here to experience the improvements.

“If something is going to improve parking or traffic at N.C. State in the long run and helpful for the future, I’ll deal with it this semester,” Babb said.