Construction is set to begin on a new residence hall for the University of New England, since the Biddeford Planning Board approved the project Wednesday. The undertaking marks a new era for the college, the first major step of a vast expansion plan that is expected to accommodate the living needs of the ever-growing number of incoming students.

While spilling over the Route 9 boundary is a necessity for the college to expand, it must be done with the utmost care to keep peace with the residential neighborhood. UNE’s plans call for a 300-bedroom dormitory to be constructed beginning in September, and that’s just the beginning of their expansion, which will boast two residence halls and athletic fields by 2012.

Those who live nearby have voiced concerns about the campus expanding to include both sides of Route 9. They don’t want to dodge jaywalking students on their way home, nor do they want the speed limit lowered on such a major thoroughfare.

But we believe these neighbors’ concerns are being properly addressed by the Department of Transportation, which is designing the project. Crosswalks, sidewalks and a bicycle path will give pedestrians a place of their own to safely traverse to the “other side” of the campus ”“ and a tunnel is even planned to keep walkers off the street entirely.

It is doubtful that the expansion is going to cause regular traffic jams on Route 9. Though the sun is finally shining now, let’s not forget that it’s winter most of the time around here and students will undoubtedly be opting for that tunnel when they  cross the street, for a break from the wind and ice.

Further measures have been suggested, such as installing fencing or bushes to encourage road crossing at crosswalks, which we believe is also a good idea to help control the foot traffic.

The Planning Board has made the right choice in approving this project, which supports the healthy growth of an entity that is one of the area’s biggest employers and a great asset to the community. Colleges and the municipalities in which they are placed are often at odds with each other due to differences in culture, but we in Biddeford are lucky to have a university that is so much a part of our city.

The research, community programs, artistic offerings and students’ boost to our economy are all benefits that we reap from the school’s presence here. Its proper expansion, with the appropriate planning and permitting, should not be hindered by a few residents’ annoyance at having to slow down in the area of the campus.

UNE Director of Campus Planning Alan Thibeault has also noted that the hefty five-year expansion plan will be a boost to the economy, bringing in one of the area’s largest construction projects (translation: jobs) in a difficult economic time. The city has made the right choice in moving along UNE’s plans and supporting the DOT’s foot traffic measures.

Hopefully motorists will be pleasantly surprised by the traffic flow in that area, even as UNE grows, and the DOT’s plans will be sufficient to keep Route 9 from becoming like the downtown ”“ where traffic is slowed to a crawl as pedestrians and bicyclists regularly dart in and out of the streets.

— Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen Schulze Muszynski or Nick Cowenhoven at 282-1535 or kristenm@journaltribune.com or nickc@journaltribune.com.