Construction connection
New bridge extends from the Freedom Tower to the DeMoss Hall Student Center
The community at Liberty University has seen first-hand the progress of this year’s construction efforts on campus, most notably in the erection of a bridge over Reber-Thomas Drive. At 130 feet long and 35 feet above the road, the bridge will connect the Freedom Tower to the DeMoss Hall Student Center.
Alan Askew, the director of construction for Liberty’s Planning and Construction Department, explained that the bridge is part of an egress requirement out of the forthcoming Student Center. It will provide a more efficient means of exit out of the large banquet facility that will be on the center’s third floor.
JOIN — A new bridge will allow easier travel between buildings. Photo credit: Leah Seavers
“It could have been a stairwell to grade, but it makes more sense from a traffic flow to connect (the bridge) over to the Freedom Tower terrace, as those two projects will have some shared uses, making the bridge connection a logical choice,” Askew said.
Joining the progress of the bridge is that of several other simultaneous building projects. According to Askew, the new music building is nearing completion, as are the lawn projects such as the academic lawn, the campus walkway, and the Commons lawn. Forthcoming is a new indoor practice facility, an indoor track, and the Academic & Performance Center.
Askew also disclosed that there are several other projects with design soon to be underway, but they will not be fully announced until the Liberty administration officially releases the information.
In regard to which project has taken up the most time and effort, Askew said each building has had its own challenges and intricacies. However, Askew said the Academic & Performance Center has been the most challenging construction project to date in terms of complexity.
So far, the rate of progress toward completion for all present construction on campus has gone according to schedule. The Student Center is on track to be complete by the start of the fall semester of 2016. According to Askew, the Freedom Tower is beginning concrete work and is set to be complete in 2017.
“We anticipated a transformation spanning nearly 10 years, and it will run pretty close to that,” Askew said. “For the students, their lives are about to be much better when the Student Center is complete and the construction is removed from that area, as you will truly have a quad that is complete (Student Center, Jerry Falwell Library, Center for Music and the Worship Arts, and the Science Hall).”
The lawn behind the Vines Center and the Commons is currently in the works as well. The lawn and walk will soon be improved as a result of the work. In the meantime, Askew hopes that the students are encouraged by future prospects of overall improved campus life at the expense of temporary inconvenience.
“We never forget the sacrifices the students give as we go through this process,” Askew said. “We hope they catch glimpses of completion they can be excited about, even if the entire picture is not complete before they may individually graduate.”
Jarrett is a news reporter.