About 290,000 cubic yards of dirt will be moved over a period of 54 working days through some city streets and cause the closure of one university-owned drive.

The transfer of sediment is part of the construction of new practice and intramural fields at Troy University.

“Anytime there is construction or any change in normal traffic flow, motorists are going to be inconvenienced,” said Clif Lusk with University Relations. “We would like for everyone to know what’s going on and make travel arrangements accordingly.”

Beginning Thursday, McKinley Drive will be closed from the back entrance of the new Trojan Arena to George Wallace Drive. Traffic will not be allowed in that area until the initial phase of construction is complete. That phase is expected to last about two and a half months.

Mayor Jimmy Lunsford said, it is his understanding, that construction crews will be using 15 trucks that will haul about three loads of dirt every hour during working days. That means there will be 90 movements per hour on two city streets – Elm Street and George Wallace Drive.

That is cause for concern when it comes to wear and tear on roads, Lunsford said during a work session for the Troy City Council Tuesday.

“There is no good way to move 5,000 yards of dirt every day for 45 days,” Lunsford said, noting that the city would be monitoring road conditions and safety issues when it comes to students returning to school after the summer break.

Lunsford also said extra police officers and an additional school crossing guard will be on duty in the construction area.

There will also be another temporary road closure that will affect motorists and university students each day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Collegedale Street behind Smith Hall on the Troy campus will be off limits during the day, but open during night hours and on weekends, according to the university.

Parking areas on Collegedale will remain open throughout the construction of a new residence hall and the new Long Hall, though.

“We hope there is a minimal impact as school starts back, on the university and in the city school systems,” Lusk said. “We know it’s an inconvenience. We ask motorists to be patient with our progress.”

Whitley Kilcrease contributed to this report.