After months of construction, a new pedestrian sky bridge has opened on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Our Stef Manisero shows us the modern-looking bridge, and tells us why students say it makes them feel safer.
AUSTIN, Texas -- Day one, and UT students can't get over the new addition to their campus.
"I think it looks really cool, it looks super modern," said UT Freshman Michael Miller.
"It'll be a lot shorter walk and safer because you don't have to cross the street," added UT Freshman Emily Stone.
But perhaps no one appreciates the new Moody Bridge pedestrian sky bridge more than UT Senior Amanda Atwell.
"I was crossing the intersection at Dean Keeton and Quad so like right over there," Atwell described. "I had the little man, the little walking man that I could go, and so I started walking and this guy was turning right and just I guess didn't see me, wasn't paying attention or looking the opposite way, and just kind of hit me."
The Moody Bridge connects the two buildings that house UT's communications school.
"Every day," said Stone. "I have a class in each building every day."
A $3 million donation from the Moody Foundation of Galveston paid for the project.
After about three months of construction, students are excited about the added accessibility.
"It'll be really nice when it rains also because you can just kind of run across," Stone said.
Students also love the scenic views.
"Lots of cool views in Austin, this is just another one," Miller stated.
There is also a shared sense of security the bridge brings.
"I'm sure I'm not the only one that that's happened to at that intersection," Atwell speculated.
While luckily, Atwell wasn't hurt, she's glad the gap has been bridged.
"It wasn't bad but at the same time you get hit by a car, you're going to be startled," she said.
No one from the university was available to comment on camera with Time Warner Cable News on Tuesday.
In a written statement, Communications Director Nick Hundley said, "The work of Moody College is highly interdisciplinary and many of our students, faculty and staff cross Dean Keaton multiple times each day for classes, meetings, and projects. Moody Bridge gives us a fast and safe way to do our work and build collaborations across our college. Our new bridge will help unite our faculty, staff and students, both literally and figuratively, and will become a major new campus landmark."