Planks laid for new pedestrian walkway

Work on a new pedestrian walkway and footbridge linking the Ray Street and Laird complexes continues to progress with the recent installation of six concrete planks.

2:14 p.m., Aug. 23, 2005--Work on a new pedestrian walkway and footbridge linking the Ray Street and Laird complexes continues to progress with the recent installation of six concrete planks on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 17-18.

Surrounded by stacks of concrete forms and rebar (concrete reinforcing bars), four mammoth cranes hoisted the 12-foot-wide by 60-foot-long concrete sections from flatbed vehicles. The slabs were then placed atop a series of seven supporting concrete archways that stretch 23 feet tall at the highest point of the span.

Besides the concrete planks, other materials that will be used in the walkway construction include brick pavers, metal guardrails, electric lighting fixtures and plumbing for collecting storm water from the bridge. Construction also includes site clearing and the relocation of existing underground utilities.

The structure will replace a set of steep stairs on one side of a ravine and small stream and a long, inclined walkway on the other side. Sidewalks on the east side of North College Avenue adjacent to the Ray Street Complex also are being widened.

A temporary walkway for pedestrian use will be in place until construction on the footbridge is completed.

The University recently received a second federal appropriation of $1 million toward the total walkway cost of $2.7 million. The funding was recommended by U.S. Sen. Thomas Carper, D-Del., a member of the congressional committee that crafted the 2005 transportation bill. An initial appropriation of $1 million was made in 2004 for the 2004-05 fiscal year.

The new pedestrian walkway and footbridge will replace a set of steep stairs on one side of a ravine and small stream and a long, inclined walkway on the other side.

The 600-foot-long pedestrian thoroughfare is part of the $72 million Laird Campus project. This project includes the recently completed 500-bed George Read Hall, as well as two 250-bed residence halls, scheduled for completion in 2006, at which time the walkway will be opened.

As part of the Laird Campus project, a sand volleyball court, a tennis court and two basketball courts have been installed on the east side of the ring road that encircles the area leading to Christiana Towers, replacing similar facilities displaced by the construction of George Read Hall.

Demolition of Pencader Residence Halls A-H and Commons I and II began June 14. Assuming completion of the Laird Campus project is on schedule, Pencader J-M and Commons III will be demolished beginning in June 2006.

The architect is Ayers/Saint/Gross, and Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., is managing the construction. Penny Person, senior project manager in Facilities Planning and Construction, is coordinator of the project.

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson

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