After years of debating and planning, a road that now connects Oxbow Trail to Richland Avenue opened Tuesday
After months of construction, Bobcat Lane was officially opened for traffic on Tuesday morning. The occasion was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, at which President Roderick McDavis and Mayor Paul Wiehl both gave remarks.
“This has been a couple years in the making,” Wiehl said. “I think really the tipping point for me was the relocation of the GoBus (to Baker Center). It’s been a success.”
Wiehl said the construction of Bobcat Lane has opened communication between the university and the city, making them work together as a community.
“I look forward to a new year and a new pathway,” he said.
The path, which connects Oxbow Trail to Richland Avenue, has been debated for years and sent to City Council and the Ohio University Board of Trustees for approval. McDavis acknowledged the struggle that Bobcat Lane has faced and the disagreements he has had with Wiehl.
“It’s not a secret that the mayor and I disagreed on the opening of Bobcat Lane a few years ago, but I want to publicly commend the mayor for reconsidering the opening,” McDavis said. “We would not be here today if the mayor had not given this a second look and said ‘Let’s try it.’”
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The university expects improved public transit to and from Baker Center, faster response time to Baker Center for emergency vehicles, and improved visitor access to campus, McDavis said. He thanked Joe Lalley, senior associate vice president for IT and administrative services, Stephen Golding, vice president for finance and administration, university leadership and members of Athens City Council for assisting with the project.
“The project was well-planned between the university and the city,” Golding said.
Landscape improvements along Bobcat Lane and Oxbow Trail will be completed in late September, McDavis said.
McDavis said OU and city leadership have a responsibility to make Bobcat Lane work and keep it safe for students, community members and visitors.
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“This connection between OU and the city of Athens cannot be broken," McDavis said. "We have a great relationship, we’re going to continue to work hard on behalf of the students, faculty and staff at the university and the citizens of Athens. We have a great community. This is one more asset that will make our community greater.”
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