Bridge meetings allow for student input

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University administrators plan to build an $8 million pedestrian bridge over South Road.

Don’t agree? Let UNC officials know during a student input session tonight, hosted by the executive branch of student government.

Another meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday in Hanes Hall room 130.

The panelists present at both meetings will include Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Chris Payne, Director of Facilities Planning Anna Wu, landscape architect Jill Coleman and Department of Public Safety spokesman Randy Young.

Attend the bridge forums

• 7:30 p.m. today, Hanes Hall room 130
• 5 p.m. Thursday, Hanes Hall room 130

Take a look at these major details of the project before heading to the meeting.

Q: Where will the bridge be located?

The bridge is planned to cross over South Road starting near the Pit between the Undergraduate Library and Student Stores and ending further down Stadium Drive behind Fetzer Gymnasium, at the southwest corner of the Student Recreation Center.

Q: Why was a pedestrian bridge proposed?

The project is intended to help alleviate pedestrian traffic while improving safety at the Student Union and Bell Tower crosswalks on South Road. Every day, an average of 37,000 people cross South Road between North and Middle Campus, according to a survey released by the capital projects committee of student government.

Q: Where is the money coming from?

The $8 million required for this project would be taken from the Open Spaces Fund, which accumulates money from a 1 percent fee charged to all capital construction projects on campus.

Q: Where in the process is this bridge proposal?

The site proposal for the bridge has already been approved by the Board of Trustees, despite Student Body President Jasmin Jones’ opposition. She has tasked the capital projects committee of Student Government with collecting student opinion on the idea. The bridge design has not yet been approved by the Board of Trustees.

Q: How can I best voice my opinion?

Take the capital projects committee’s online survey at tinyurl.com/southRoadSurvey to let UNC administrators know what you think. Or voice your concerns at tonight’s meeting as to whether you think the bridge would be a good investment of University money.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.