By Steven Viera || Senior Editor
In a message to the F&M community, Mike Wetzel, associate vice president for facilities management and campus planning, announced the opening of West Liberty Street on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The road replaces a metal pedestrian bridge, disassembled last year, that links F&M’s campus to downtown Lancaster.
The street, which runs for just more than one-tenth of a mile, stretches from behind College Row to Thomas Armstrong Boulevard. According to this article from Lancaster Online, the road has about 20 parking spaces on either side as well as sidewalks, tree plantings, and stop signs at both intersections. In his email, Wetzel also pointed out West Liberty Street features LED-lighted crosswalks to warn motorists to the crossing of F&M Facilities & Operations utility vehicles.
According to the Lancaster Online article, the street can handle projected traffic volume. In addition, Lancaster City will handle maintenance of West Liberty Street.
The construction of West Liberty Street occurred as part of the College’s Northwest Gateway Project, a collaborative effort between F&M and LGH to renovate the 28-acre site behind College Row. Formerly a rail yard owned by Norfolk Southern Corp., the College purchased the space with plans to convert it into an athletic facility, including the construction of Shadek Stadium.
Senior Steven Viera is a senior editor. His email is sviera@fandm.edu.