north entrance to Eliot Hall. ZGF's design submittal estimated a total project budget of approximately $545,000 ($ today), including construction costs, design and engineering fees, inspection, contingency, permits, soil reports and testing, but not administrative costs. Construction was scheduled to occur between May 20 and August 23, 1991. The bridge was constructed of 4,000 pounds per square inch concrete with 60 grade steel reinforcement. A sack finish was applied to most surfaces. The bridge deck was finished with a medium broom texture and a clear seal coat. Along newly constructed walkways, fine grading was required, and lawns were established to blend with those already present. The bridge was completed in 1992, during William R. Haden's term as acting president. Students reportedly replaced white bulbs with blue lights during an end-of-year celebration. The blue lights were kept because of their "captivating" appearance. Environmental protection and restoration Protection and restoration of the canyon environment were included in the earliest stages of bridge development. ZGF Architects and the Canyon Committee chose concrete as the preferred structure material partly because it offered the least environmental degradation to the canyon during construction. The "Schematic Design Submittal" required that Reed Lake and surrounding vegetation be protected during and restored following construction. Within the designated construction area, existing plants and trees were provided protection or transplanted, though some trees in the bridge's path were pruned or removed. During construction, the lake bed and waterway were protected from erosion, pollution and siltation. Topsoil and new native plants were added following construction; landscaping and plant species were determined by Reed College. Reception The bridge won the award for "Excellence in Concrete" from the American Concrete and Aggregate Producers Association. For its opening, students created a "super-highway" appearance including a traffic divider; according to Reed, remnants still exist in the center of the bridge. The Blue Bridge has been included in at least one published cycling guide of Portland. Known for its aesthetics, the Blue Bridge is often featured in catalogs and displays to attract students to the campus. The bridge has served as a meeting place and has been cited as a favorite location on campus by students and faculty. In April 2003, Tibetan Buddhist monks used the bridge to execute a milk sacrifice and to disperse sand used in the creation of a sand mandala. Former Reed College professor Helen Stafford, who became the institution's first female professor