The walkway between the McKinley Building and Bender Library will remain closed until Dec. 5th, the Office of the University Architect announced in a newsletter.
The most recent stage of construction of the new School of Communication forced the closure of the frequently used pathway between the two buildings on Sept. 6.
“It was closed for the safety of both students and University faculty/staff due to heavy construction equipment and below grade excavation in the area,” Architect and Project Manager Tom Argasinski said.
Underground utilities are currently being installed at McKinley and workers are adding a steam line between McKinley and the Library, Argasinski said.
As a result, students in Letts, Anderson, Centennial, Roper and Clark Halls have had to extend their routes around Bender Library to enter the quad. Many students have also had to circumnavigate the campus in order to get to classes in the Kreeger, Watkins and Beeghley building.
“It’s a pain in the ass,” freshman Adam Brachfeld of School of International Service, a resident of Anderson Hall, said. “I feel bad for the people with walking impairments who have to walk around the library.”
Other students have had difficulty navigating the new route too. Sean Bristow, sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, and resident of McDowell Hall, frequently visits Anderson Hall. The path closure now requires him to walk all the way around campus.
“It is an inconvenience,” he said.
School of International Service sophomore, Cyrus Chansler of Centennial Hall agrees thats the closed pathway is a major inconvenience.
“I really dislike it and hope the work gets done soon,” Chansler said. “It makes me question if this is the American I know and love. Recently, a friend of mine named Smalls ran into the fence.”
