The University of Toledo will host a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, July 18, for a new pedestrian bridge over Douglas Road that will more directly connect the University’s engineering buildings to the rest of Main Campus.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. on the east side of Savage Arena.
UToledo will host a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for a new pedestrian bridge over Douglas Road that will more directly connect the University’s engineering buildings to the rest of Main Campus.
“This project is first and foremost about the safety of our students, staff and visitors. Our campus spans both sides of Douglas Road, and you can clearly see a path where students regularly cross that busy road outside the crosswalk at the light,” Interim President Matt Schroeder said. “This bridge will improve safety for pedestrians and motorists alike and provide a more direct connection between our two campuses.”
In addition to students coming to and from the College of Engineering, Schroeder said the bridge will serve the population of students who live on the east side of Douglas Road, as well as visitors attending events at Savage Arena who park in Area 19, which also is on the east side of Douglas Road.
The bridge will span about 78 feet across Douglas Road, with towers located near the northeast corner of Savage Arena on the western side of Douglas and the intersection of Marwood Avenue and North Westwood Avenue on the eastern side of the road.
Access to the elevated bridge will be provided by both ramps and stairs.
Total cost of the project is expected to be $3.4 million and will be funded by a combination of state and University capital dollars. Construction work will begin later this month, with the project targeted for completion by the end of May.
The new pedestrian bridge follows several other construction projects at UToledo’s engineering complex, including the $22 million renovation of the North Engineering Building, the removal of Palmer Hall and the ongoing work to create a new academic quadrangle in front of North Engineering and Nitschke Hall.
“Taken together, all of these projects are about creating a more connected, livable and modern campus for our students,” Schroeder said. “We’re proud of the steps we’ve already taken and excited to continue to build up UToledo for our future.”
