Eerie horror film noises, roads closings and driving detours are just some of the reasons students are complaining about the construction in and around campus.

The construction occurring on Creighton’s campus and around it is due to an unfunded federal mandate requiring the city to address its problem of combined sewer overflow. Construction, occurring throughout the city, is expected to cost Omaha $1.5 billion.

Sewage overflows occur when storm water enters the sewer system. Both run down into the combined sewer system and the excess amount of water entering the system causes it to overflow, expelling the runoff into either Papillion Creek or the Missouri River.

The construction occurring around the city and on campus may pose inconveniences now, but Joe Gudenrath, spokesman for Mayor Fahey, said it is worth it.

“While construction might pose some short-term inconveniences, the ongoing growth and development far outweighs those short-term negatives,” Gudenrath said.

The unfunded federal mandate is requiring more than 700 communities nationwide to reduce the number of raw sewage overflows that occur each year. Since it is an unfunded mandate, the city is responsible for paying for this project, and if not completed by 2025, the city will be fined. In past years, Omaha has experienced more than 52 overflows in a year.

Combined sewer overflows cause problems because raw sewage can carry human bacteria and viruses that can lead to illness. Stormwater, which flows across lawns, parking lots and other areas, can also contain chemicals, animal wastes and other pollutants that then flow into the Missouri River and Papillion Creek.

According to the Clean Solutions for Omaha Web site, the overflow becomes diluted with other rain and river water, and it poses a health hazard for those who have direct contact with water, such as swimmers and water skiers.

It is important to Creighton because it will reduce the amount of stormwater that backs up into buildings like Criss and Rigge, which causes flooding, said Lennis Pederson, associate vice president and director of Facilities Management. He said the smell from the sewer lines should dissipate and those who live in Davis and Opus will be able to enjoy the courtyards again.

The city’s project schedule extends through 2024, but the construction on Creighton’s campus should be done by the beginning of 2009.