College Walk Undergoes Major Restoration

Since 1954, College Walk has been the place for a purposeful stride across campus or a leisurely stroll in Columbia University’s verdant quadrangle. It’s the University’s main public walkway, connecting Broadway and Amsterdam Ave.

This summer, however, after more than 50 years of pedestrian traffic and poor drainage have eroded many of the pavers to about half of their original two-inch depth, College Walk is receiving a surface and sub-surface restoration that’s an enhancement to campus safety – and an environmentally friendly one, at that.

The maintenance project entails installing a drainage system, replacing the asphalt pavers, adding granite curbing, and erecting new light poles and globes, says Larina Pun, a Facilities senior engineer and the project manager for the College Walk restoration.

College Walk has never had a drainage system, says Pun. Because of this and the continued puddling, Facilities has replaced many pavers every year and the integrity of the walk has been compromised.

New grates along the restored walkway and reduced water runoff will be the only evidence of the underground drainage pipes that have been installed. There’ll be no more large puddles on the walk and runoff onto Broadway, especially during heavy or long-lasting rain. This water will now move directly into the sewer system.

The new asphalt hexagonal pavers are three inches deep and made of nearly 25 percent recycled materials. The old, worn pavers have all been sent to Edison Avenue Recycle in Mt. Vernon, NY., where they’ll become part of yet another generation of recycled pavers.

As part of an ongoing effort to achieve consistency in appearance on Columbia’s classic campus, new black light poles and globes are part of the College Walk project. The light poles incorporate the Philips QL Induction Lighting

System, notable for its light quality, low energy consumption and longevity.

The new fixtures use only 20 percent of the power, yet provide the same light output as the mercury vapor lamps they are replacing, says Donald Schlosser, Assistant Vice President, Campus Operations. The lamps are rated to last 60,000 hours, in contrast to the old lamps that were rated at 24,000 hours. Based on 12 hours of use per day, they will last more than 12 years before they need to be replaced.

Energy savings from the lighting system will be the result of reduced power consumption and lamp disposal as well as lower maintenance.

The section of 116^th St. between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave. was bricked over and became a pedestrian walkway in 1954 as part of Columbia’s bicentennial celebration. Then-Columbia President Dwight D. Eisenhower was responsible for obtaining the thoroughfare for the University.

Pun says construction is on schedule and expected to be complete by the end of August.

Photos: Larina Pun