Pedestrians will have something new to celebrate come mid-April as the University pushes for more pedestrian access. The Office of Facility Development is currently putting a pedestrian sidewalk on the campus side of W. Chimes Street. Jason Soileau, assistant director for the Facility Development, said the goal of the project is to ensure pedestrian safety along a safe and accessible sidewalk. “This project is a continuation of efforts being made to truly make LSU a pedestrian-friendly campus and to present a welcoming image to the community,” Soileau said. “The area has always been treated as a ‘back door,’ and this project will change that image.” Planning for the project began back in the spring of 2006, but Soileau said bidding on it did not start until this past fall. Construction workers were given approval to begin working this past January. “The project was in the works for several years, but right-of-way agreements had to be made with the city in order to get the project going,” Soileau said. The project was coordinated with Baton Rouge traffic engineers, and it is expected to be completed on or around April 17. Soileau said the project is being funded through a construction contract with Block Construction in the amount of $299,600. He also said the funds are provided through the Environmental Impact Fee, which is funded through University football ticket sales. Ellen Martin, music education sophomore, said adding a sidewalk along W. Chimes Street will help students and pedestrians who constantly go to the School of Music, Student Health Center and businesses along W. Chimes Street, get there a lot easier. “The new sidewalk will help improve the image of that area, and I’m pretty sure that’s what all of those restaurants and businesses are hoping for as well,” Martin said. Despite speculation of making the street a two-way, Soileau said the street will remain a one-way. Parallel parking on both sides will also remain. The street itself will be narrowed from 15 feet to 12 feet. “I’m glad they’re putting in a sidewalk because it makes it a lot easier for people to walk along the street,” said Aaron Naquin, communication studies senior. “I walk on that street a lot to go at the restaurants on the strip, and walking along a parallel parked car with another car coming from behind is dangerous.”
—-Contact Louis Pelletteri III at [email protected]