The Free Expression Tunnel was closed for part of Friday due to a damagedtransformer from the power outage that occurred at Dabney and Cox Halls Thursday.
Sam Jeffries, facilities maintenance supervisor, said facilities decided to closethe Free Expression Tunnel while doing some repairs to the damaged transformer.
“With the access to that high voltage there open, we felt it was unsafe for studentsto go down there today,” he said.
According to Jeffries, there was a semitruck parked behind Dabney and Cox Hallsserving as an emergency generator and a few work tables blocking the Brickyardentrance to the Free Expression Tunnel.
“It’s all being worked on to provide electricity back to those two buildings in thenormal manner,” he said.
Jeffries said despite the Technician‘s article on Friday concerning censorship inthe Free Expression Tunnel, it was not the reason the tunnel was closed.
“The tunnel is closed simply for safety,” he said. “The painters work for me, andthey’re not down there painting.”