After years of off and on construction around campus, it appears a trademark of Eastern University is returning once again. All walking path bridges across Gulph Creek have been closed for renovations, narrowing student options for walking to class and sparking outrage among students.
A surge of water from a burst pipe upstream knocked out all three walking bridges, meaning students will have to swim or jump across the creek. “Unfortunately when there’s a burst pipe upstream, you have a trickle down impact to all water systems. Our bridges just weren’t prepared for that,” explained Mares Stellfox, Director of Plant Operations.
“The changes we’re making to the walking bridges will ensure that they’re bigger and stronger than ever. This time no storm, no burst pipe, nothing will ever be able to take them out again. I swear on that… actually strike that. Don’t print that part,” Stellfox said. “Can I just see the transcript you’re writing? Can you stop typing every word I’m saying right now?”
Unfortunately, no further information from Stellfox was able to be recorded after the writer was evicted from Addams Hall. Thanks to a gracious Plant Ops team, however, the trespassing charges have been dropped.
Stellfox announced the change via a school-wide email on March 30. “Dear colleagues: Walking paths closed: ALL Thank you for patience and cooperation during this period.
Let’s pray for the construction team!!!!!! Sent from my iPhone.”
To better focus on these pressing construction sites, Stellfox also announced the abandonment of the long-standing construction project connecting the gym to Doane Hall via road. “Sorry we always knew this idea was useless so we just decided to move focus to the walking paths
Thank you for your continued patience!!!!!! Sent from my iPhone.”
The half-built construction site will remain up, however, as a memorial for Eastern’s centennial, joining Centennial Hall, Centennial Dining Commons, Centennial Dormitory and the Centennial Stadium. “Due to popular reception, the years-long centennial celebrations will extend indefinitely into the future thanks to the memorial grounds of the Centennial Doane-Gym Vehicle Bridge Construction Site Memorial, or CCDGVBCSM,” the President’s office said in an official statement.
The new options for walking to classes are either crossing the Thomas Drive bridge without a sidewalk, or simply walking out of the gym entrance, onto Fenimore Lane and back into campus through the back entrance of Doane. If students run late, they can try to jump over or swim.
Facing criticism in the aftermath of the decision, the Plant Ops team made changes to respond to the unseen needs. “Due to pushback, we have provided floaties and rafts to cross the stream for those who cannot swim, free of charge. We hope this alleviates some of the stressors,” a follow-up Plant Ops email said.
Other students raised concerns about the time it would take to get to class with the bridge closures. In response, Provost Kent Sparks sent an email. “We recognize this may interfere with your promptness for class. All professors will extend grace up to two minutes late without penalizing attendance,” Sparks said.
In a follow-up interview with the WaltOnion, Sparks said this is part of what makes Eastern great. “The ability for our leadership to hear the criticisms of our students and respond in ways that truly addresses the problem is why Eastern is such a great school,” Sparks said.
Sparks expects the construction will be gone before students know it. “We expect the repairs to be done quickly, most likely by the end of the school year. Construction will continue throughout the summer if needed and then possibly extend into all of next school year. Of course, there always is the possibility of needing the summer and next semester after that as well,” Sparks said.
If the bridges look open, do not let that fool you. Sparks warned the structural integrity may be damaged even if they look fine. “I implore you to not use what looks like a perfectly fine walking bridge. All of them are broken. They could suddenly collapse if you use them right now,” Sparks said. If you see your fellow students using the walking bridges, please inform them to get off immediately.
For now, it looks as if construction is here to stay. If you have a complaint, please file it in the 4th floor of Walton.
