Due to required permits, construction on Quinnipiac University’s Mount Carmel Campus for the Irma pedestrian bridge’s replacement will not be completed until October 2027, causing continued frustration for students.
Since the first weeks of the school year, the bridge has been closed due to an observed shift and is pending construction. The closure of the commonly used pathway has caused inconvenience for students going to classes, the Recreation and Wellness Center and attending other on-campus activities.
“The pedestrian bridge by the Irma and Dana residence halls was closed last year after an inspection identified that the bridge needs to be replaced,” John Morgan, associate vice president for public relations, wrote in a statement to The Chronicle. “A new bridge will need to be designed and approved before construction can begin.”
The Office of Residential Life sent out an official statement on Sept. 3, noting that “it is likely that the replacement will not occur soon.”
However, many students still speculated a quick fix for the bridge, but months later it is still closed. It is now known that the construction awaits several permits, per a newly posted “Wetlands Notice” sign hung on the bridge.
“The Irma pedestrian bridge replacement falls within a Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) Natural Diversity Database Area of Concern,” the sign reads.
The construction requires seven permits: Army Corps of Engineers, State Historic Preservation Office Mashantucket, Mohegan, Wampanoag and Narragansett Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, Bat Presence Survey for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Officers, CTDEEP Fisheries Division, Hamden Inland Wetlands and Hamden Planning and Zoning.
In a search through Town of Hamden Planning and Zoning Department meeting minutes, no mention of the bridge has been made yet. It is also not yet listed in the pending applications of the Inland Wetlands Commission at the time of publication.
The posting notes the estimated project timeline beginning with “design, survey and permitting” spanning from January 2026 to May 2027. This will be followed by construction from June to September 2027 and project completion in October 2027.
Students quickly shared the information on social media platforms including Yik Yak and Instagram.
“I’m gonna graduate before the Irma bridge is rebuilt,” one student wrote on Yik Yak.
Having caused inconvenience, students have taken to using other methods, like jumping over the creek and building their own rock path. Though, Quinnipiac officials advised using other options.
“In the meantime, pedestrians should use the other bridge by the Larson residence hall and the walkway by the library,” Morgan wrote. “We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as we work to ensure the long-term safety and accessibility of the bridge.”
