AMES, Iowa -- The new Iowa State football season's bringing some changes around Jack Trice Stadium.
The most noticeable--the new East Gateway pedestrian bridge over University Boulevard.
"People don't always go the speed limit, people don't always cross in crosswalks there on University, and those two factors could lead to something dangerous. This bridge will give us the opportunity to get pedestrians across in a much safer manner," says Iowa State Police Chief Michael Newton.
The $10 million bridge was paid for by the ISU Athletic Department.
Also new this season--the athletic department has moved RV parking to a new lot across University.
"The really made a nice set-up for the RVs--they put concrete pads in place, and there are electrical hook-ups so that many of them aren't running on generators. There are concerns when you have generators about fuel, fumes, and fire," Newton says.
Inside Jack Trice Stadium, he says the ISU student section has moved from the northeast to the southeast end of the stadium.
"The visiting team's fans used to be over there, now they've flopped to the old student section. We think that'll be a better option for us too, when we have the inevitable field rush--we can get the other team off the field in a much safer manner," Newton says.
The ISU Athletic Department says there was after last year's Oklahoma State game players and staff had trouble getting off the field in Ames, and there was also an alleged incident with a fan.
The Cyclones open the 2022 season Saturday against Southeast Missouri.
Photo from ISU Athletics via Twitter