Ribbon Cutting | Research Park | SIU

Innovation Drive

Congressman Jerry Costello (D-Belleville) addresses the crowd gathered to open the new roadway connecting the SIUC campus to the SIU Research Park. Other presenters included Carbondale businessman and Chair of the SIU Research Park Board, Curtis Baird; SIU President Glenn Poshard; SIU Carbondale Chancellor Rita Hartung Cheng; and Illinois Representative Gary Forby (D-Benton). Congressman Costello secured a $1 million federal appropriation through the 2005 Highway Transportation Act to support the roadways development. Hurst-Rosche Engineers, Inc. of Hillsboro, with Marion offices as well, handled the design work and E.T. Simonds Construction Co. of Carbondale was the general contractor for the construction project.

Research park businesses, employees, and visitors now can connect to the SIUC campus and U.S. Highway 51 from the north side of the existing parking lot and roadway next to the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center.

The entry road links the research park to the campus near Saluki Way. The view (looking west) from the new entrance includes the SIU Arena and Saluki Stadium.

E. T. Simonds Construction Co. of Carbondale employees use two large cranes to move the three-sided box culvert into place at the new roadway entrance to the SIU Research Park on U.S. Highway 51 south of Carbondale.