Piedmont University is currently undergoing construction on campus.
Before the start of the school year, Piedmont started new construction on the bridge that connects the Swanson Center and the library.
Students usually use the bridge daily to get to class or to travel across campus, especially students with a “residential” parking tag. However, with recent readjustments, students are not able to use the bridge.
These construction plans have caused a lot of conflicts for students. Students now have to take extra time getting to and from class due to the closure, and have to walk all around campus.
“I feel a little confused about why it’s taking so long because most students use the bridge to travel from one place to another,” said Karen Valencia, a senior forensic science major. “Ultimately, it kind of sucks not being able to use the bridge as much and it’s actually really nice to walk through.”
Not only is the bridge closure conflicting with students, but also with athletes.
“I used the bridge every single day last year, and it always made it faster,” said Brody Geckler, a sophomore film major. “Also, I’m on the cross-country team and we sometimes use the bridge to take a quick shortcut, but it’s just inconvenient now,”
“I’m just used to having the bridge easily accessible, and now it’s closed for who knows how long,” said Geckler.
Currently, construction of the bridge is backed up due to a lumber shortage.
Hank Knight, Piedmont’s facilities and management safety personnel, said the construction was supposed to be completed before school. Still, they ran into problems with the weather and materials, which put them behind.
“The bridge was built somewhere around the late 1990s or around 2000, so we’re redecking it now to make sure it’s safe for students and the community,” said Knight. “I’m hoping for the bridge to be finished within the next week or 2 weeks for the convenience of the students.”
Despite the conflicts with the bridge closure and construction, Piedmont will soon have the bridge finished for students.
