The University of South Carolina (USC) is taking a significant step toward a more accessible campus with the construction of a new pedestrian bridge. The 120-foot bridge will span over Wheat Street, connecting the Campus Village (formerly South Campus) on Whaley Street to the Cregger Athletics Village, which houses the Dodie Anderson sports academic center, and leading to the heart of the campus without the disruption of Wheat Street traffic.

“The project is expected to be completed sometime in 2025 and will yield a better walking and bikeable campus,” said Collyn Taylor, USC’s internal communications manager.

Once completed, the bridge will offer a smooth and safe transition for students from the Blossom Street Garage to the bridge beside the Blatt Physical Education Center on Wheat Street. They will be able to avoid stairs and cross traffic while navigating campus more efficiently.

Ryan Hufford, a member of the USC swimming team, frequently uses the Blossom and Blatt bridges to move between classes, practice, and home. He shared his experience of campus travel:

“My most common mode of transportation to get around campus is my bike,” Hufford said. “… I have to stop at traffic very often whenever I’m crossing Wheat Street in front of Blatt. So I think this bridge will benefit me extremely.”

The Wheat Street Pedestrian Bridge is one of nine active construction or renovation projects on USC’s Columbia campus. The largest of these projects is the newly launched Health Sciences Campus at the Bull Street Neighborhood, set to house USC’s School of Medicine.

“Now that the university is doing a lot of these projects, they’re making sure that there’s a consistent design language within the projects,” said Maxim Narab, the architect behind the bridge.

The bridge’s design will be cohesive with other campus infrastructure, featuring similar railings and colors as the existing bridges. Additionally, the bridge will feature color-changing LED lights for added aesthetic appeal.

“We can do something beautiful even if it’s a simple bridge, even if it’s a small, 120-foot-long bridge,” Narab said. “We can bring something nice. We can focus on the small details and really give something memorable for the area.”

The Wheat Street Pedestrian Bridge is part of USC’s broader efforts to improve campus connectivity and accessibility for students, staff, and faculty. With more than 100,000 square feet of new campus construction underway, the university is focused on fostering a more integrated and efficient campus experience for everyone. The bridge’s completion in 2025 is expected to significantly enhance the overall walkability and bikability of the campus, making it easier for individuals to move between various facilities and academic spaces.

Originally reported by Megan Maholic in Carolina News & Reporter.