New Ramp taking Shape at ADJ

By CHARITY SMITH

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Bessemer - A new ramp is gradually taking shape at the front of A. D. Johnston Junior/Senior high school, as crews from Angelo Luppino, Inc have been working to replace the prior ramp, which was severely dilapidated.

"It's more of an emergency exit ramp. It's not fully ADA compliant, but we felt that we needed a ramp at the east side door, just in case we have a fire and we have handicapped students on that side of the building that need to get out," said Dan Niemi, superintendant of Bessemer Area Schools and ADJ principal.

The school's ADA-compliant entrance is located at the west end of the building and is at ground level.

The new ramp was approved by the school board at the July 27 meeting and goes directly from the entrance to the front sidewalk by North Moore Street and replaces the old L-shaped one that went from the entrance facing North Moore Street and took a 90 degree angle to end at the sidewalk by West Iron Street. The ramp will have handrails on both sides leading up to the entrance. Niemi said that the new ramp is better because it doesn't have the 90 degree turn.

"It will be a better ramp if there is an emergency. If God forbid we have a fire, it will be a better way to get people safely out of the school," Niemi said. "It looks nice, nice grade to it, not too steep not too shallow, pitch isn't too extreme or too shallow. It's a nice walkway."

After the ramp is completed, crews from Angelo Luppino, Inc. will be tackling the foundation at the northeast side of the building, which has been leaking. The crew will remove the cement block at that corner, fill the area with gravel and place blacktop over it that will be sloped away from the building.

They will also be placing new handrails at the library entrance facing West Iron Street.

Niemi said the district hopes all the work will be completed by early September.