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Students will return to Miami University next semester not only with a brand new Farmer School of Business (FSB) building, but also with a new feel to East quad streets.
Patterson Avenue and High Street will be extended and designed to have a boulevard theme appearance due to the construction of the new FSB.
Bob Riggs, Miami University's project manager for the East Quad Walks and Drives Project, said the East quad area of campus has gained more pedestrian and vehicle traffic because of construction on Pearson Hall, the psychology building and now the new FSB facilities.
"(The extension) is a product of several projects that have increased the amount of traffic on East quad," Riggs said.
Due to the increased delineation and vernacular traffic, Riggs said improving pedestrian safety is the main priority of the project.
The results of a traffic study completed for the area determined the need for a traffic light to be installed at the intersection of High Street and Patterson Avenue, Riggs said.
Stacy Deaton, a Miami junior marketing major, said she will feel safer walking to the new FSB building with the installment of a traffic light instead of the current four-way stop residing at the intersection.
"I think a four-way stop isn't safe, even now," Deaton said. "There is going to be a greater flow of students walking in that area next year, and that intersection will be even more dangerous."
In addition to a traffic light, landscape islands will be constructed so pedestrians are better protected by street curves, Riggs said.
Scattered lighting currently exists in the area of the intersection. Riggs said more lighting will be added to make it more uniform and increase safety for pedestrians walking through at night.
The construction of the road extension project will begin May 11 and end Aug. 14, Riggs said.
The estimated cost for construction of the project is $1.6 million, and Riggs said Miami is under budget on bids taken last week.
"It is a separate project from the business school," Riggs said. "It has its own funding and is not associated with funding for the business school."
The city of Oxford previously approved the plan early in 2009, Riggs said.
"The city has reviewed designs and has been involved greatly in the process," Riggs said.
At this time, the city of Oxford is unable to comment on this project, Oxford's Deputy Service Director, Richard Dils, said via e-mail.
