RED SQUARE — As construction equipment slowly begins to choke off access to Reiss walkway, students came together to share memories of hurrying to class over the famed concrete slabs.

The walkway, a vital causeway connecting Burleith, Henle, Darnall and the Leavey Center with the rest of campus, was fatally diagnosed last year with “standing in the way of superfluous construction projects” and given less than a year to live.

An AP file photo of the Reiss walkway during some of its better days.

“You know, you really don’t appreciate hurrying to class on something until it’s gone,” said junior Quentin Vargas (MSB ’16) echoing the sentiment of most who have lived on that side of campus.

As the construction disease has rapidly spread in past two weeks, the reality of being unable to speed walk on the Reiss walkway has become a painstakingly real for students.

Construction doctors with Gilbane, Inc. now estimate that the walkway has less than a week to live.

“Once the first fences and holes start appearing it’s only a matter of time before they metastasize until the walkway is entirely shut down,” said Doctor Raymond Fullmond on behalf of Gilbane. “At this point it’s a matter of when and not if.”

Experts were optimistic that it could be localized to the Reiss walkway, but “constant vigilance” was needed to keep the disease from spreading across the entirety of campus.

As the Reiss walkway enters into the twilight of its existence an impromptu memorial has been erected in Red Square to honor its proud 50-some years of existence.

Flowers and signs – some reading “we will never forget you, Reiss walkway” and “I’ll never speed walk over another path on campus” – littered the square.

A table in Red Square has been set up to monitor the situation 24/7 by the new students group Hoyas Blue about Reiss Walkway.

“In some ways it’s nice that it happened like this,” said Kayla Daspario (COL ’15) visibly holding back tears. “At least we have some time to say goodbye. Some time to have closure.”

“At this point in my life I’m just not ready to hurry to class on another walkway,” said Cody Muey (COL ’16). “The healing is going to take a long time.”

A candlelight vigil led by Father O’Brien is scheduled for Saturday evening.