Albany Technical College cut the ribbon to officially open the new pedestrian bridge adjoining the east and west side of South Slappey Boulevard on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at 10 a.m. on the grounds on the east side of South Slappey facing the Kirkland Administration Building.

Quest for the bridge began in 2009 when Dr. Willie Adams was Mayor of the City of Albany. Albany Tech approached the City of Albany for SPLOST funds to complete the project. SPLOST funds in the amount of $1.6 million were allocated in 2013 and the winning contractor from the bid was The Macallan Group in Marietta, Georgia with work beginning in February of 2016.

Three factors contributed to the project: campus expansion, safety, and providing a gateway for Albany Tech and the City of Albany. The current arrangement of commercial businesses, other state and city/county agencies, and county schools prevents any further growth of the Albany Tech campus on the east side of South Slappey Boulevard. With Albany Tech’s existing Manufacturing Technology Center on the west side, the relocation of other businesses taking place as well, the pedestrian bridge will pave the way for expansion for the college.

With more than 100 students currently crossing South Slappey Boulevard going to and from classes on any given day from the Manufacturing Technology Center on the west side over to the main campus on the east side, safety has become an issue over the years. The bridge will provide the infrastructure for safety now and in the future as the college expands and enrollment increases.

The bridge has also provided a gateway for the college and for the City of Albany alike. With travelers coming into Albany, as well as Albany major industry being located in close proximity to the Albany Tech campus, the bridge will provide an attractive gateway to commerce and higher education.

“The bridge will not only allow for more campus expansion, but most importantly, will provide safety to those crossing from the west side to the east side of campus each day,” said Dr. Anthony O. Parker, President of Albany Tech.