While it’ll be dedicated in the beginning of December, the pedestrian bridge may not be available for students until after the Olympics.

The bridge, which crosses Wasatch Drive, has been under construction for just less than one year now. According to Joseph Harman, area manager for Campus Design and Construction, the main purpose is to provide a safe connection between student housing and lower campus.

According to Harman, dedication is set for early December, and between then and the eviction of students from Heritage Commons on Dec. 15, there might be some access. However, full access might not be available until after the Olympics are over.

“It will be used for the Opening and Closing ceremonies only, and closed off during the rest of the Games,” Harman said.

Student response to the bridge is varied.

“Let’s wait and see if it’s worth it,” said Asthma Abid, a freshman studying mass communication.

Freshman Myla Dela Cruz feels the bridge will prove to be an advantage. “It will aid in security and safety,” she said. However, she said construction has really affected traffic.

Harman felt traffic concerns had not been a major problem throughout the construction, in part because of the way Wadsworth Brothers Construction had handled the actual construction of the bridge.

Charlie Brown, a graduate student in Middle East Studies, feels the only inconvenience of the bridge is that “it’s not available.”

According to Brown, busses are usually packed in the morning, and walking is inconvenient.

In regards to inconvenience because of construction, “It was just there?the construction didn’t bother me,” said Kinza Pervez, a junior studying business.

Besides safety and accessibility, the bridge will provide other features for convenience.

Heating cables have been place underneath the concrete of the bridge and the west stairs. They come on in response to moisture and a drop in temperature, and according to Harman, they’ll melt snow from the bridge. In addition, the concrete is waterproof.

There is an elevator, accessible for the handicapped and big enough for a bicycle, according to Harman.

One of the most interesting aspects of the bridge is the view, Harman said. There is a view of the entire valley from the east side of the bride, with the Social and Behavioral Sciences tower and the Rice Eccles Stadium framed in.

On the east side, there will be a memorial walk with sandstone walls running along side up to Heritage Commons.

“This is one of the most spectacular experiences in this valley,” Harman said.

The George S. Eccles 2002 Legacy Bridge is so named because the Eccles foundation donated $2 million to the $5 million project.