Beaver Falls, Pa. - Geneva College never had a main entrance to its campus since the college opened its doors in 1848. That will change during the week of May 11, when a new entry marked by a 60-foot long arched gateway with 28-inch high letters spelling out Geneva College and leading to a four-lane wide boulevard, opens at Route 18 and 31st Street in Beaver Falls, Pa. The new front door for the college will open in time for commencement ceremonies, held Thursday, May 14 through Saturday, May 16.
Materials and construction for the new entranceway come from a collaboration of western Pennsylvania suppliers and contractors.
The archway was fabricated for Geneva College by Gray Welding in Braddock, Pa. Weighing more than 6,200 pounds and comprised of 240 individual pieces, it was made with about 90% recycled steel. The arched truss will be delivered to Geneva College in two pieces on Monday, May 18 where it will be welded together and the letters anchored onto the arch. A crane will raise the arch 16 feet to rest on bearing plates installed in columns on each side of the road.
Harris Masonry Inc., based in Greentree, Pa., is cladding the columns with a light-colored sandstone and limestone trim designed to match the stonework of Geneva Colleges′ McCartney Library.
The new entrance boulevard, named Mackall Drive, has two lanes for entrance and two lanes for exit. Landscaped islands are on the middle of the boulevard. Lamp posts, each 30 feet high and with two glass acorn-shaped globes, adorn Mackall Drive. The electrical contractor for the project is Turney Electric of Beaver Falls.
The boulevard leads to a wide roundabout, which provides access to adjacent roads and all drivable points on campus.
The project will continue with the construction of a tree-lined pedestrian walkway spanning past Northwood Hall to Alexander Hall, now College Avenue, and an expanded Alumni Hall parking lot. The entire project is expected to be completed by this fall.
Jendoco Construction Corporation of Pittsburgh is the main contractor for the Beyond the Bend project.
Click here for a photo album of the new entranceway progress.
Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).
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