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June 1, 2006
Contact: Gordon Ovenshine: 724-738-4854;
gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu
$610,995
GRANT TO FUND PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS AT SRU
SLIPPERY ROCK,
Pa. – In Slippery Rock University’s ongoing efforts to
upgrade safety for students and visitors, the university has
received a $610,995 federal grant to construct lighted pedestrian
paths in the southeastern corner of campus and along Harmony
Road.
The upgrade means SRU students
who live in apartments on Harmony Road will no longer have to walk
on a road as they head to classes. The pathways will be eight foot
wide and lighted, making them suitable for walking, jogging and
bicycling.
The funding
comes from the U.S. Transportation Hometown Streets and Safe Routes
to School Program. President Robert Smith backed the project as a
safety and aesthetic upgrade, since off campus apartments in the
area house at least 500 SRU students.
“SRU has set its sights on
becoming a premier residential campus,” Smith said.
“This is just another step in making the campus more
attractive while at the same time increasing
safety.”
The campus is
currently constructing a $110-million, apartment-like residence
hall replacement project that is expected to increase pedestrian
traffic. A new pedestrian walkway linking the older part of campus
to the eastern end has drawn praise for increasing campus
aesthetics.
The latest pedestrian path will be
constructed on Harmony Road north between Kiester Road and Route
173 and along Kiester Road past SRU’s tennis courts. The
Harmony Road pathway will extend from Branchton Road to Kiester
Road, passing SRU’s Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable
Systems Education and Research, N. Kerr Thompson Stadium, the Story
Harbor Equestrian Center and the Women’s Soccer/Softball
Complex.
Design begins this
summer with construction scheduled for fall, said SRU’s John
Bonando, assistant vice president for student services.
“It’s all about safety,” he said. “Harmony
Road is utilized by students for walking, jogging and bicycling.
It’s a dangerous roadway because of the contour of
land.”
#PN, PR, PgN
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