MSA proposes bridge to cross College Avenue
The bridge would promote student safety.
Published Aug. 25, 2009
The Missouri Students Association is looking into the possibility of constructing a bridge across College Avenue between University Avenue and Rollins Street, MSA President Jordan Paul said.
"I think it's something that would enjoy pretty broad student support," Paul said. "I don't think people think that jaywalking or running across the street is the best option. It's just better than walking a quarter of a mile down the street, and if there is a bridge, people will use it."
MSA Student Services Director Ryan Senciboy began pushing for a solution after the mayor initially brought up the issue.
"I think there are a lot of options," Senciboy said. "The bridge is obviously the more expensive option. We could do some sort of crosswalk, but (the bridge is) probably the biggest way to meet students' needs who are wanting to cross the street."
In the past 10 years, two bridges have been constructed on campus. One crosses College Avenue and cost roughly $4 million, and the other, crossing Providence Road, cost about $1 million.
"We want it to be as cost effective as possible, so the design is not the most important thing we had in mind," MSA spokesman Tim Noce said. "Nonetheless, we also don't want it to be an eyesore because it is a pretty high-traffic area."
MSA is running into minimal problems as of now, but Paul said the poor economy could become an issue.
"I'd like to think (the administration) will support it, and they are always supportive of students," Paul said. "But when it comes to big dollars, that sometimes changes the playing field."
Paul said there are many avenues for funding and because the earliest construction could begin is next year, there is plenty of time to raise money for the bridge.
At the moment, MSA is still in the process of contacting those who would be involved for approval and funding. Noce said the biggest problem they're having due to working on the project during the summer is getting the word out to the city of Columbia and MU.
"I have personally contacted most of the property owners on the non-campus side, or the fraternity side, of the college, and they have all been happy to work with us on that," said Noce.
As the bridge is still such a new idea, a timeline, complete costs and designs have yet to be drawn up, Senciboy said.
"It's more of an idea than anything right now," Senciboy said. "We've had smaller meetings within MSA and I've talked with the IFC, the fraternity presidents, but we are still working on getting meetings set up with different administrators and people in the city."
As the school year picks up and administrators return to their offices, MSA should be able to draw more attention to this project and move past its initial stages.
"We've known for a while now that this was an issue we wanted to work on," Paul said. "I think that if you slammed a bridge in there somewhere it would help a lot of people out."