Winter quarter has come, and along with it comes cold weather, snow and more orange barrels around the Ohio State campus.

Upon returning to campus, many students may have noticed an increase in construction, primarily on Woody Hayes Drive.

A new physics building is being erected on a field on 19th Avenue while the site does not amount to more than a hole in the ground, the new building will house laboratories, offices and support facilities.

On Dec. 12, Woody Hayes Drive was shut down to one lane in both directions to allow construction of two new lanes over the next month.

“The end result of the project will be a new bridge and four lanes of traffic where there used to be two,” said Paul Sherwood, assistant director of the University Engineer’s office.

Sherwood said two new lanes will be built on the north side of the bridge and that traffic will continue to flow during demolition and construction of the new bridge.

The construction site, combined with the Lane Avenue bridge project being taken on by Franklin County, is causing heavy traffic on Woody Hayes Drive. Commuting students should expect some delays and allow extra time to get to class.

“The construction has slowed my traveling time to class immensely,” said Josh Jacobs, a senior in animal science. Jacobs said it takes him five to 10 extra minutes to get to class compared to last quarter.

The bus stop on the agriculture campus has been moved west near Fyffe Road to accommodate bus-riding students.

“We aim to keep students moving around while keeping them safe as well,” Sherwood said.

The OSU Department of Physical Facilities is trying to keep the danger level at a minimum.

Contractor vehicle traffic is kept to a minimum by parking on West Campus and in lots near Ackerman Road.

Areas where pedestrians and concrete trucks meet is of concern, Sherwood said. In these areas, pedestrian routes have been made.

Construction continues for the Knowlton School of Architecture, and the first phase of the graduate and professional student housing on south campus is under way.

The winter months tend to slow down construction progress.

“In the past few years, Ohio has been somewhat of a temperate zone for construction. Most of the time we have been able to continue, but it depends upon where we are on a certain project at the time,” Sherwood said.

Other major projects will be planned for the summer, when there are fewer students and better weather.