NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University is advancing its efforts to enhance pedestrian safety, accessibility, and connectivity along College Avenue in Maryville. The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) has awarded the university a $600,000 grant for improvements to the crosswalk connecting Martindale Hall and the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building. This funding will cover 80 percent of the total project cost, with Northwest providing the remaining 20 percent, or up to $150,000, from its annual Campus Master Plan funds.

The redesigned section of College Avenue will feature a raised traffic table in the center of the block to streamline pedestrian movement and reduce vehicle speeds. Additional improvements include new street lighting and a sidewalk connecting North Munn to North Ray on the south side of the street.

In its application for funding, Northwest highlighted College Avenue’s importance within Maryville’s trail network and its proximity to key campus facilities such as Bearcat Stadium, Bearcat Arena, and Everett Brown Education Hall. Currently, six crosswalks at various angles span this block between North Ray and North Munn avenues.

“We are thrilled for Northwest to have been chosen as a recipient for this grant funding,” said Dan Haslag, the University’s assistant vice president of facility services. “The project will greatly enhance pedestrian safety and navigable routes for our students, employees and visitors at this southern section of our campus.”

This crosswalk redevelopment aligns with ongoing renovations at Martindale Hall, which houses Northwest's School of Health Science and Wellness.