By Mark Larus
Additional Reporting by Jeff Hamlin

The UNC Board of Trustees has approved the site for a bridge over one of the highest pedestrian traffic areas on campus.

Anna Wu, Director of Facilities Planning, says the idea for a bridge is meant to improve traffic flow from one end of campus to the other.

During a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, the trustees discussed a potential single mast, cable-stay bridge running from the UNC Pit to Stadium Drive across South Road. The committee discussed LED lighting systems for the bridge and the potential dangers of students climbing the mast –but they were only voting to approve the location of the design. The location was approved unanimously by the committee, and approved by the whole board with only one vote against the location.

Student body president Jasmin Jones voiced concern that two students had died crossing Columbia St, but said she was unaware of any deaths on South Rd. Trustee Bob Winston said the safety of students on South Rd had a lot to do with the amount of money the school spends on traffic safety officers for that area. Jones did not vote in favor of the motion to approve the site.

Wu believes the board and the student body simply need to talk more.

Trustee Wade Hargrove, a newcomer to the Building & Grounds committee, raised concerns about cutting down trees and the aesthetic impact on the bell-tower area. He even called himself a “tree hugger.” He still voted for the plan.

With the site now approved, the project directors can move forward with the design phase of the project.