Work is set to begin Monday (June 11) on the Willowdale sidewalk project, spearheaded by West Virginia Universitys Student Government Association (SGA). The project is expected to be completed by mid-August in time for the start of the fall semester.

March-Westin was the successful bidder for the project, which will add a 5-foot-wide sidewalk along Willowdale Road, a popular walkway for students and Morgantown residents adjacent to Milan Puskar Stadium, Ruby Memorial Hospital and the WVU Health Sciences Center.

The project area stretches from the entrance of Ruby Memorial Hospital to just beyond Ira Errett Rodgers Drive.

When complete, the new paved area will connect to a city sidewalk leading downtown and will be well lit and handicap accessible, said Paul Hanko, project manager. WVU also plans to add a right turn lane out of Ira Errett Rodgers Drive as part of a separate project.

After the sidewalk and lighting are installed, the West Virginia Department of Highways will resurface the adjacent section of Willowdale Road, he added.

The public should expect Willowdale Road to be reduced to one lane for intermittent periods while crews are at work and seek alternate traveling routes,Hanko said.

Local engineering firm Alpha Associates Inc. oversaw the design, and Transportation Enhancement funds from the West Virginia Department of Transportation will support the project.

SGA leaders obtained a $445,000-plus grant from the federal Transportation Enhancement Program to pay for 80 percent of the $556,000 project. The remaining cost was funded by WVU , the City of Morgantown and Monongalia County.

This project shows the collaboration among the county, city and University,Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice said.We very much appreciate the support of students and Gov. Joe Manchin in moving this project forward.

Shannon Logan, former WVU student body vice president, proposed the sidewalk as part of her 2005 SGA election platform, stating that it would be a safe connector between campuses.