NORTHAMPTON — Work to create a more welcoming main entrance to Smith College that will also improve pedestrian and vehicular safety on Elm Street is set to be complete by year’s end.
Work began in May to construct a new main entrance at the college at the intersection of Elm Street and College Lane. The project includes creating a new, clearer main entry point for vehicles entering the college, relocating sidewalks, improving utilities and preserving mature trees, according to Smith spokeswoman Stacey Schmeidel.
“This project will create a more welcoming entry to the campus by providing a clearer entry way, defined by limestone entry markers,” Schmeidel wrote in an email. “This new entry is aesthetically consistent with the perimeter improvements that the college made to the intersection of Elm Street and West Street last year, incorporating brick, limestone and granite into a classic, timeless design.”
Safety for pedestrians and motorists will be improved by making intersections more visible. Sidewalks are being relocated in order to improve visibility of the main entrance sign, she said.
Phase I of the project, which included significant infrastructure work on utility lines, poles and sidewalks, was completed over the summer. College Lane at Elm Street has been reopened, according to Schmeidel.
Infrastructure improvements included constructing new sewer lines, water mains and gas lines that are closer to the road, making them easier to maintain. The college worked with utilities such as National Grid and Columbia Gas on line adjustments, she said.
Phase II work on either side of College Lane will continue through the fall, she said.
Schmeidel said the college has been working with city officials throughout the project.
Wayne Feiden, director of planning and sustainability for Northampton, praised the project in an email.
“It’s a great project,” he said. As it did with the improvements at the intersection of Elm and West streets, the college will improve its visibility and sense of arrival , he said.
Feiden also lauded the public improvements of the project, including the utility work and move from asphalt to concrete sidewalk, which he said will help improve the streetscape that thousands of residents use or see daily.
Chris Lindahl can be reached at clindahl@gazettenet.com.