Villanova Considering Crosswalk Over Lancaster Avenue

Villanova University hopes to add new dormitories, a parking garage and retail space where its main parking lot currently sits on Lancaster Avenue.

When the redevelopment plan was first presented, it did not include a pedestrian walk over busy Lancaster Avenue. But the walk was something that many in the community thought should come with all of the new building.

The school's design team has chosen the location for the bridge at "Church Walk," the intersection where St. Thomas of Villanova Church is. It would be 475 feet in length and have an elevation of 17 feet from the street to the base of the crossing, reports Main Line Media News.

The newspaper writes, "The crossing will start at the exit of the train station and will “connect with the Septa bridge.” and meets up perfectly at the other end of the pedestrian crosswalk with the church on Main Campus. To incorporate handicapped travelers, there will be an elevator shaft for people who cannot use the two stair cases that will also be built on the train side. On that side of Lancaster Ave., the crosswalk will be nestled between the proposed apartment complex and a parking lot."

Do you think a pedestrian bridge is a good idea? Will it be used?