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Kent State University will start construction on the Esplanade walkway expansion project beginning this coming spring.

The university has spent more than $7 million in real-estate purchases for the expansion. The plans call for two 15-foot-wide sidewalks running parallel to each other with 20 feet of open space in between. Once completed, the pathway will run in a straight line from the intersection of South Lincoln Street and Hilltop Drive to Haymaker Parkway.

Associate Vice-President for Facilities Planning and Operations for KSU Thomas Euclide explained that as of now, the university is wrapping up land surveys and reviewing the results of soil tests before construction begins. Euclide also added that in the future the university could add new artwork and even construct new buildings along the new Esplanade expansion.

The new walkway is expected to be completed by the time students return for classes in fall 2012.

Contact Michael Bratton at [email protected].