30 High-Profile Focus: Schools and Institutions September 2026
BEYOND THE BUILDING:
Building More Accessible and Connected Campuses
Choate Rosemary Hall pedestrian bridge
At Choate Rosemary Hall, a new pedestrian bridge demonstrates how thoughtful campus infrastructure— and careful construction— can create safer, more accessible, and better-connected environments.
Accessibility on a campus is about more than entering a building. The routes between classrooms, residence halls, athletic facilities, parking areas, and gathering spaces are part of the student experience, too. When those connections are safe, intuitive, and accessible, they help everyone move more independently through campus life.
At Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut, a newly completed pedestrian bridge puts that idea into practice. As general contractor, KBE Building Corporation constructed the approximately 66-foot span across Christian Street, creating a dedicated
“ As a Wallingford resident, I’ ve seen firsthand how much student and local traffic moves through this area every day. This bridge gives Choate a safer, more direct connection across Christian Street and helps separate pedestrian movement from roadway traffic. For KBE, it’ s especially rewarding to deliver a project that improves the campus experience while also making a positive contribution to the community we call home.”
— Mike Kolakowski, president and ceo, KBE Building Corporation connection between the school’ s north and south campuses and improving pedestrian access across a heavily traveled roadway.
Accessibility as a Campus-Wide Experience
The bridge was only one part of the solution. ADA-compliant ramps and accessible approaches integrate the crossing into Choate’ s broader circulation network, allowing students, faculty, staff, and visitors with varying mobility needs to use the same primary route. The result is a connection that feels like part of the campus— not a separate accommodation added after the fact.
That integration also extends to the character of the site. A wood boardwalk, iron guardrails, stone support structures, landscaping, and porous pavement help the new infrastructure sit naturally within Choate’ s established campus environment while also addressing stormwater management and surrounding site conditions.
For KBE, that balance is central to work on active educational campuses: improving accessibility and safety while respecting each institution’ s architecture, operations, and daily rhythms.
Different Campuses, a Common Goal
The same principle can take very different forms from one campus to another. In New Haven, KBE is currently completing accessibility upgrades at a local university to improve campus access and mobility. The work includes the addition of an elevator along with improvements to entrances and stairwells, enhancing accessibility within an existing campus building.
However, the two projects present distinct construction challenges. Choate focuses on connecting outdoor campus routes, while the other improves accessibility within an existing building. Despite these differences, both reflect a broader priority for educational www. high-profile. com