Sidewalks, ones that are crumbling, missing chunks and all-over falling apart around campus, have been torn apart and will be replaced.
This construction project is the latest in the long-line of University changes.
This project, which is the fifth phase of the University’s sidewalk updates, is mostly concentrating on sidewalks on the east side of campus.
So before complaints are made regarding the problem-filled sidewalks on campus, understand that the design and construction employees on campus knows this.
Project Manager Michael Schuessler was a student at BGSU, and when he returned here to work, he wanted the sidewalk project because he knew many sidewalks had fallen to disrepair.
He said he saw how embarrassing they were and wanted to improve the campus environment.
‘You don’t have to worry about tripping and falling on tours,’ Schuessler said, with these improvements.
In the summer of 2006, 25,000 square feet of sidewalks on campus were updated, Schuessler said. At that point, the current worst areas on campus were targeted. That meant that areas all around campus were under construction.
Construction like that was supposed to happen again, but since the project was not able to start before fall classes began, the 25,000 square foot project was cut in half to concentrate on areas that were more closely linked, Schuessler said.
One of the areas Schuessler wants updated is the area between the library and the education building. But construction there would disturb the traffic flow too much, he said.
‘We’re sensitive to disrupting students’ flow,’ Schuessler said. He added later, ‘It’s impossible to do the education corridor during the year.’
This project, in addition to all sidewalk projects, will not include improving any sidewalks that serve as tunnel tops, Schuessler said.
Two of the sidewalks that fall into this category are the sidewalk south of Jerome Library and the sidewalk running between the Union Oval and the Math Building.
Sidewalks that are tunnel tops will be improved when the utilities in the tunnels need improvement.
