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Starting Monday, June 3, the improvement projects at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes and outside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart will be fully underway. Natural stone pavers will be installed in place of the pavement surrounding the Grotto while brick pavers will replace the asphalt outside the main entrance to the Basilica. The Grotto will not be wheelchair accessible from June 3 through Aug. 12.
The projects will be completed before classes begin in the fall. Each project is broken into several phases and include the following work:
- The main staircase north of the Grotto will be closed all summer and completely replaced with wider, more accessible steps.
- New memorial benches surrounding the Grotto will be installed.
- A small turnaround drive will be added southwest of the Basilica’s main entrance so visitors can be dropped off at the church. No parking will be allowed in the turnaround.
- The Basilica entrance to the west of the main doors will be made handicapped accessible.
Click for larger image.
The Grotto will not be wheelchair accessible from June 24, through Aug. 2. During that period, the staircase located behind the sacristy will provide the only access to the Grotto. Traveling up and down the stairs could also be difficult for anyone who uses a walker or has trouble walking.
Originally published by Mike Daly at news.nd.edu on April 24, 2019.