The next step in the project will be the construction of retaining walls flanking the intersection with the university and city names carved into them. Miami’s Vice President of Facilities Planning and Operations Cody Powell estimated that these walls would take another month or two to complete.
Other work has been done along Patterson to improve the look and student safety. A series of medians filled with decorative flowers were installed along the length of the street. The construction also created more crosswalks and installed flashing signs to warn drivers when students cross the road.
Some students appreciate the new additions to the campus. Sophomore Claire Eckel lived in a hall next to Patterson last year and thought the new crosswalks made it much easier for students to cross the street. She also appreciated Miami’s efforts to constantly improve their campus.
“If we didn’t keep that look up, we would lose that special attraction we have,” Eckel said.
Other students were less enthusiastic about the new additions. Senior Ben Amend had to drive to campus frequently during the summer and said the constant construction made the trip more difficult.
“It feels a bit excessive,” Amend said.
Construction on the road ended Aug. 22, returning the normal traffic flow one day earlier than expected.
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