The University of Memphis pedestrian bridge and parking garage on Southern Avenue nears the end of the construction. The garage is scheduled to be open for use in a few months, and the land bridge will be ready shortly after.
The University of Memphis pedestrian bridge and parking garage on Southern Avenue is getting close to the end of the construction, with just a few more months left until the garage will officially be open for use and the bridge to be ready shortly after.
Construction shut down Southern Avenue on Feb 2. to continue working on it by laying the foundation of what will eventually become the bridge. The original timetable for completion was scheduled for Fall 2019. Jeremy Alpizar, a sophomore advertising major, said he is surprised by the current state of progression.
“I am glad it is getting completed faster than usual,†Alpizar said. “Throughout our city, I am normally accustomed for construction to take a long time, so I kind of assumed it wouldn’t be done until I graduated. It’s nice knowing we are going to have something new to look at on campus soonâ€
Most of the main frame work of the construction for the $35 million project is already done, and students across campus can already see what it will look like for the most part. Many students have been ready for its completion, such as engineering technology major Christian Reyna.
“That train is the only reason I never park by Southern anymore,†Reyna said. “I’m relieved that bridge is finally going to be completed, but I don’t think I’m going to use the garage yet because finding parking could get me late as well.â€
Students have often blamed passing trains for their tardiness to class, pressuring the UofM to take action. Students have been blocked by trains so frequently it eventually became a running joke within campus culminating in the creation of a Twitter account imitating the train with the username @UofMTrain.
