EKU pedway reopens

Jan. 18--The Eastern Kentucky University pedway, which was struck and severely damaged by the raised arm of a dump truck in early September, is open for pedestrians after months of reconstruction.

The opening coincided with the first day of EKU's spring semester on Tuesday. Kristi Middleton, EKU chief external affairs officer, said that was always the university's goal.

"We are grateful for all those who helped get the pedway back in working order so quickly," said EKU President Michael Benson. "When something very useful to a community is lost for a time, we recognize how much we appreciate it in terms of providing safe passage, as well as being such a visible part of our campus."

Despite being open to pedestrians, Middleton noted construction is ongoing.

Paul Gannoe, EKU interim associate vice president of facilities services & capital planning, said the metal roof and windows remain to be installed, as well as exterior signage.

The roof structure is already in place and workers have started installing window frames, according to Gannoe. The elevators and interior lights are back in service.

The pedway will be open during the remaining phase of construction, said Gannoe, who doesn't anticipate road closures on Lancaster Avenue. Rather, impacts to traffic could come in the form of lane closures.

After the accident that damaged the pedway, the entire bridge was torn down so construction could begin. The stairwell towers were unharmed and remained intact. Middleton stated that the towers were inspected.

Despite reconstruction, there will be little change to the pedway, noted Middleton.

"I think there will be updates to signage," she said.

The exterior lights that have changed colors in response to local and national events and seasons will still shine bright, according to Middleton. In the past, the lights have been blue, following the death of Richmond Police Department Officer Daniel Ellis, and rainbow colors after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Fla.

The accident that damaged the EKU pedway occurred Sept. 9 when the raised arm of a Rock Trucking Company dump truck struck the bridge section of the structure.

No injuries were sustained from the collision, but the support beams of the pedway separated away causing the floor to have a catastrophic failure, said Bryan Makinen, EKU executive director of Public Safety and Risk Management, on that day. There were no students inside.

The truck remained stuck under the pedway until it could be safely removed nearly a week later on Sept. 14. By Sept. 22, Lancaster Avenue was opened to through traffic. Reconstruction on the pedway began mid-November.

Reach Critley King at 624-6623; follow her on Twitter @critleyking.

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