'Totally accessible' MSU pedestrian underpass set to mid-May, one year later than planned
In mid-May, a year later than planned, the pedestrian underpass that links the southeast part of the Missouri State University campus with large surface parking lots is set to open.
The nearly 1,400 parking spots along Grand Street near National Avenue are heavily used by students going to class and visitors drawn to that corner of campus, largely for arts-related events.
MSU officials said the pandemic-era project encountered a "perfect storm" of unforeseen challenges, ranging from inclement weather and relocating sewer lines to supply-chain delays. The obstacles increased the scope of work, nearly doubled the cost and pushed back the completion date by a full year.
"This is probably the most frustrating project that we've done in the 12 years I've been here because of both cost and time and because it has congesting a critical street that runs right through our university," said MSU President Clif Smart.
At the work site, Grand Street narrows to just two lanes, one eastbound and one westbound, to slow traffic and to make space for a temporary crosswalk. Nearby sidewalks are blocked and students have had to navigate around construction fences and equipment.
The underpass was constructed in the 1980s to allow safe passage to campus for students and visitors who parked on the south side of Grand Street. The subterranean passage succeeded in curbing pedestrian traffic in that spot but was not accessible for individuals who use wheelchairs or have mobility issues.
"This is a project since almost day one I wanted to do because I just thought that entrance to the university, besides being unattractive, was not a very safe entrance, walking down very steep steps, especially people in their 70s and 80s and older that were coming to events at the university," Smart said. "It needed to be replaced."
The work includes upgraded sidewalks, lighting, a ramp system on the south side of the underpass and an elevator on the north side.
The end in sight, Smart said: "It is absolutely going to be worth it. The least accessible part of the university is now going to be totally accessible to everyone."
He also offered a prediction: "We're all going to forget the hassle of the extra year when we have this beautiful, accessible entrance to the university that we'll enjoy for decades to come."
Complications, delays "just compounded"
The project, originally expected to open a year ago for the start of the 60th season of Tent Theatre, will instead be open in time for a May 12 showcase at the John Goodman Amphitheatre.
It is a preview of the MSU Libraries' 2023 Folklife Festival program, “The Ozarks: Faces and Facets of a Region," which will take place this summer on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
More: Missouri State library tapped to help tell story of Ozarks at 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
Matt Morris, vice president of administrative services, said the elevator has been installed and inspected. Crews are wrapping up the remaining details.
"On the south side, it is taking nice shape. They are finishing up some work on handrails," he said. "Really the work that remains at this moment is concrete work on the north side of Grand Street between the elevator tower and Art Annex."
The project started in fall 2021 with an original budget of $3.8 million. The challenges encountered during the work have been well-documented and include:
Encounters with storm water line and sanitary sewer lines, some of which went back to the original construction of Hill Hall in the early 1900s. They had to be replaced and relocated;
Removal of "unsuitable soil" near the Art Annex. Higher quality soil was brought in and the foundation was shored up;
Supply-chain delays and higher bid prices, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
Inclement weather.
Asked which of the obstacles had the greatest impact on the timeline and budget for the project, Morris said he would not rate one higher than the others.
"All of them ... just compounded to make a tremendous impact," he said.
Morris said each construction or renovation project on the campus requires accommodations by students, staff and faculty. This one, unlike many of the others, also affected people who drive or walk in that section of Grand Street, just west of National Avenue.
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"Every project has its challenges and sometimes those challenges are more visible than others. This is a very public project. It is impacting traffic. It is visible as people drive by," he said.
The final tally for the project is expected to fall within the expanded budget total of $6.6 million, approved by the MSU Board of Governors. Funding came from the university, the city of Springfield and the federal American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA.
Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: MSU's 'totally accessible" Grand Street underpass to open in May
