Summary

 Because this project is in its initial stages, it is important to reiterate the benefits this project can provide moving forward. The original intention of this project was to create a plan with a footbridge design as the final product. The core purpose of this study, however,  is to analyze the feasibility of adding another access point to the Karl Stirner Arts Trail to Bushkill Drive, and to prove that implementing a footbridge will increase the social connectivity within the community and provide an opportunity to portray Easton’s rich art culture.  In our project, we follow the the principles that guide the Engineering Studies curriculum at Lafayette, which focuses on taking a holistic view of community development projects, contributes to the success of a project, and  limits conflict in early stages. Within the scope of this project, understanding social, political, and economic contexts is a mechanism for which the technical components can be completed to its full potential.

Next Steps

To give an idea of the future potential of this project, and to provide knowledge to project groups that may continue this work, we take this section to discuss next steps. Ideally, this will allow for there to be conversations about the bridge that incorporates opinions from multiple parties, including the KSAT Board, Lafayette College, the City of Easton government, and Easton community members. Conversations with Easton’s local artists is also crucial in developing a design, which will increase potential for an inventive creation that showcases Easton’s rich art culture and fits in with the KSAT ethos. This will distinguish this bridge from the other KSAT access points in the sense that it goes beyond basic utilitarian purpose and has the potential to be folded into a future vision for a sort of Lafayette “Welcome Center” and gateway between Easton and the College at the corner where the current IAS Dealership stands. 

With information from community figures and local artists, it will then be appropriate to begin developing designs and focus on targeting potential donors and other sources of funding. To make this possible and to develop an accurate cost estimate, more specifics must be determined such as material, exact dimensions, and so on . When deciding on materials, there will need to be a balance between cost efficiency and the impact it has aesthetically. This differs from more utilitarian, basic pedestrian bridges because designers will typically select the material that gives the biggest bang for your buck. While that is important, the aesthetic experience is key with this proposal as one of its purposes is to create a bridge that users can engage with upon entering the KSAT. Connecting surrounding communities will lead to social benefits that are currently lacking in Easton. Funding will likely be acquired more easily when the social benefits, as discussed in depth in our Social Context , are highlighted, as they necessitate the existence of an additional footbridge for reasons that go far beyond just a third access point. 

Challenges

The challenges that were most prevalent in our research process involved navigating the political construction surrounding this project (read more about this in our Political Context). With the KSAT Board, Lafayette Faculty acting as advisors, and the City of Easton all involved, there are many voices that have input into what happens at the Karl Stirner Arts Trail. The City of Easton often funds more fundamentally necessary projects or ones that they receive grants for, such as the new footbridge to be installed near the Simon Silk Mill, so their first response to our proposal was not overwhelmingly positive. The KSAT Board, on the other hand, has artistic and elaborate visions for the trail, so obviously they want to see this project be implemented. At first, it was challenging to hear these two polar opposite points of view and find some way to square ourselves with continuing on with the project, but we eventually learned to balance input from all of the involved voices.  

We anticipate potential future challenges regarding additional development from Lafayette College, as this bridge may be funded by Lafayette, especially given the current tensions between Lafayette and the College Hill community. While this may end up being a hindrance to this project, we actually use this tension as another reason to support a new footbridge, as it may work to enhance community relations, as discussed further in the Social Context.  

Recommendations

We support the addition of this bridge as it will serve as a great space for community members to experience. From the analyses mentioned above, this bridge would provide many benefits to the community such as a higher usage rate of the KSAT, an increased sense of public health, learning opportunities, and much more. This idea of a project is still in its initial phases and has not realized yet. Moving forward with this proposal, we would pass on this research as well as recommend future groups to look into further ways to promote the placement of this bridge.

Moving forward, we would recommend that the next group should include an analysis of purchasing the property where the IAS dealership is located. Interest has been expressed by Lafayette to purchase this property to use for further expansion of its campus. However, there has been resistance to sell the property because the owner wants to ensure the job security of his employees. As previously mentioned, the location of this bridge was determined, in part, because of the presence of the IAS dealership. With the ownership of this property, the bridge could be placed in the corner where Bushkill Dr meets Detrich Road and act as a true gateway between Lafayette and Easton.

We hope that this study provides a good basis for future groups that would propose this bridge. With these findings, future groups will be able to further build upon this proposal so that the Karl Stirner Arts Trail can successfully connect the Lafayette College and Easton communities.