Student dorm on track for February completion Published Dec. 16, 2009 By Angela Cutrer Keesler News staff KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Ms. -- Weary of the debris and lane changes on Ploesti Drive and Z streets? Good news: Construction of the last of the new permanent student dormitories in the Triangle is on track for its expected February 2010 completion. "The work is progressing well and should be completed on time," said Ron Junkin, project manager for Dorm 9. The four-story building boasts 256 rooms for a total occupancy of 512 students. "During the life of the project two streets have had to be closed," Mr. Junkin said. "The Parade Lane intersection with Ploesti has been closed permanently and a new troop walk constructed will tie into the existing troop walk north of the dining hall. Also, last year Z Street had to be temporarily closed for about a month, but is back in service now." The precision measurement equipment laboratory lost parking along Parade Lane to allow construction of the troop walk. Additional parking has been constructed north of the building. Although the dormitory site runs along the north side of Ploesti from Z Street to the mini base exchange, two lanes on Ploesti remained open to traffic throughout the project. Street addresses won't change, and emergency services access plans were revised to allow proper response to all facilities. Construction began on the $31.3 million project in January 2008.