Power Forward
ECSU is amid a multi-year, multi-phase project to upgrade the electrical distribution system and water distribution systems on campus. As one of the largest entities in Northeastern North Carolina, we depend on a steady, secure supply of power and water to every building, from student housing to educational and research space. This project will organize the system to reduce operational risk, enhance reliability, improve safety and position campus for future growth.
This project will ensure that ECSU’s power supply is:
Safe
Revamped infrastructure will reduce risks for the maintenance workers who keep our lights on and our labs humming.
Reliable
Overhauling the system will ensure ECSU’s energy independence — and help campus stand up to storms or freezing temperatures.
Self-healing
Smarter technology will allow our grid to protect itself against threats, isolate faults and minimize outages and disruption on campus.
Futureproof
The new system will support future electrical capacity along with future water pressure needs allowing the University to thrive in the decades ahead.
Traffic Impacts
There will be traffic impacts as project-related construction moves throughout campus. Pay attention to campus-wide updates and communiques for traffic updates and detours.
Map of Current Traffic Impacts
Planned Power Outages
There will be planned power outages to transition buildings onto new power grid as construction moves throughout campus. This document will be updated as the phase for this project begins in the Fall of 2025.
Target Building Power Outage Dates
Project Status
As we work away around campus, the attached maps will be updated showing completed work zones and buildings that have been converted to the new power and water system.
Ductbank Graphic Schedule Water Graphic Schedule
About The Project
The underground electrical infrastructure on campus is past the acceptable lifespan
of use, leaving it more susceptible to failure and a safety challenge for campus maintenance
workers. ECSU has experienced multiple power failures over the last 2 years due to
the age and condition of the electrical equipment failing past its useful life.
This project will install new duct bank, conduit, cables, transformers, switches,
and IT fiber that will mitigate future unplanned outages. There will also be a new
Central Generator Plant installed on campus. The Generator Plant will serve as a
source of emergency power on campus and will power campus during an electrical outage.
Two booster pump stations are being installed, one at the rear of campus, and one
in front of K.E. White that will provide adequate water pressure for everyday use
and life safety events.
Construction on the project will begin in September 2024 and is expected to continue
through 2027. Construction will be coordinated with building occupants to minimize
disruption to campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
As part of the water distribution system, campus will be upfitted with two new booster pump stations. One located behind Jenkins Science Center and one in front of the K.E. White Center. The booster pump stations will provide adequate water pressure for everyday use and for life safety events that will support or building sprinkler systems along with the Elizabeth City Fire Departments water pressure needs. A new water distribution system will be installed on campus to handle new and future volume needs.
Similar to other components of infrastructure across the state and around the country, ECSU’s critical utility infrastructure is aging — and, in some cases, failing. New equipment and technology will make the university’s power system safer, more reliable and better protected against outages, preparing us for decades of growth.
The project is underway and is expected to conclude in the Fall of 2027.
The upgrades will take place on campus and will cover the entire limits of campus. The maps under Project Status provide the locations work will be performed.
As buildings are transitioned to the new, upgraded power distribution system, the buildings will experience temporary power outages. Building Occupants will be notified weeks in advance of any scheduled power outages. Building power transitions are dependent on weather, therefore, backup dates will be scheduled for each outage.
$60,350,000
RMF Engineering is the lead designer and engineer of record, and Balfour Beatty is the contractor and will lead the construction management.
If you have additional questions or concerns about this project, please contact the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Design and Construction, Ryan Strickland, at 252-567-8608 or restrickland@ecsu.edu.
Communication and collaboration are the best ways to help this project succeed. If you have feedback you would like to provide — whether about traffic disruptions, building power transitions or other topics — reach out directly to one of our project contacts:
Ryan Strickland
Assistant Vice Chancellor
Design and Construction, ECSU
252-567-8608
Melanie M. Baker
University Program Specialist
Design and Construction, ECSU
252-335-3791
Tamika C. Vann
University Program Specialist
Design and Construction, ECSU
252-335-3217