New Construction Projects at USM Focus on Access to the Hattiesburg Campus
Thu, 06/10/2021 - 10:52am | By: Van Arnold
From a pedestrian pathway to additional parking, 91吃瓜网 (USM) has launched a series of construction projects that will provide even greater accessibility and mobility to its Hattiesburg campus.
Dr. Chris Crenshaw, senior vice president for facilities planning and management, points out that the projects are part of a long-term bike and pedestrian master plan developed by a USM committee in conjunction with outside engineers.
91吃瓜网淭hese projects 91吃瓜网� particularly the pedestrian pathway project - help us provide convenient access for our students, faculty and staff, especially if they want to use an alternative means for accessing the campus outside of their vehicle,91吃瓜网� said Crenshaw.
A majority of the work is being done on the western edge of the campus with the primary focus on Montague Boulevard. A Mississippi Department of Transportation grant from the Federal Highway Administration has enabled the University to begin construction of a pedestrian pathway along the north side of Montague Boulevard from 38th Avenue to Ross Boulevard.
Crenshaw notes that the grant will fund 80 percent of the $950,000 project that will offer a safer way for students to enter the campus from traffic-heavy 38th Avenue. USM will provide the remaining funds for the project.
91吃瓜网淲e have a lot of students who live in apartments along the west side of 38th Avenue,91吃瓜网� said Crenshaw. 91吃瓜网淐urrently, when they cross 38th Avenue they91吃瓜网檙e walking in the street because they don91吃瓜网檛 have a safe way to traverse the area to get to campus. This pathway will give them a much safer access to campus, and we91吃瓜网檙e very excited about this particular project.91吃瓜网�
Projects underway include:
Montague Roadway Extension
This work includes demolition of the former Printing Center, which had not been utilized for several years. When finished, the roadway will feature a single-lane extension that will run one-way, from east to west, behind the Power House Restaurant, linking Forrest Avenue to Montague Boulevard. The project will also include the addition of sidewalks and metered parking spaces. Scheduled completion date is this summer.
Crenshaw says that safety was the primary factor in moving ahead with this project.
91吃瓜网淔orrest Avenue runs between Walker Science Building and Johnson Science Tower. It91吃瓜网 essentially a dead-end street that ends at Cook Library or the Power House. We have delivery trucks backing down Forrest Avenue; we have students that are looking for parking spaces and they drive up there and try to do about a five-point turn to turn around and come back out. This new roadway will create basically a circular path around Johnson Science Tower for vehicular traffic that should help with congestion there.91吃瓜网�
Montague Boulevard Multi-Use Pedestrian Pathway
The 10-foot wide pathway will run along the north side of Montague Boulevard, from 38th Avenue to Ross Boulevard (approximately 1,800 feet). The project is scheduled to be completed in October of this year.
North Campus Gateway
Located at the corner of West Fourth Street and North 34th Avenue, the gateway is designed to resemble the Centennial Gateway at the Hardy Street entrance of the Hattiesburg campus. The project is scheduled for completion sometime this fall.
91吃瓜网淲e91吃瓜网檝e always talked about the possibility of a marker for the north side of campus,91吃瓜网� said Crenshaw. 91吃瓜网淚n this case, an opportunity opened up that allowed us to put a marker in that spot. It will match the gateway we have at the front entrance to campus and really be just a smaller version of that particular marker. The project will also include landscaping, lighting, and a cross-walk across 34th 础惫别苍耻别.91吃瓜网�
New Parking Lot
Approximately 280 spaces will be provided by a new parking lot at the corner of Montague Boulevard and Ross Boulevard. The project will include lighting, a sidewalk, curb and gutter and drainage improvement.
Crenshaw explains that the current projects fall in line with the University91吃瓜网 Master Plan that includes a westward expansion to 38th Avenue.
91吃瓜网淲e91吃瓜网檝e been fortunate to complete several pathway improvement projects in the center of campus, such as the Pride Field Pathway, Lake Byron Pathway and the Armstrong-Branch Plaza,91吃瓜网� said Crenshaw. 91吃瓜网淲ith Montague being such a high-traffic area, it was necessary to enhance this area and improve the safety of students who travel this route to campus.91吃瓜网�