The Farm Lane construction project "Bridge to the Future" was dedicated on Friday October 16, 2009.

US senator Debbie Stabenow cuts the ribbon at the dedication of the Farm Lane construction project "Bridge to the Future" on Friday October 16, 2009.

The Farm Lane construction project "Bridge to the Future" was dedicated on Friday October 16, 2009.

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EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Transportation celebrated the grand reopening of Farm Lane and Service Road on Oct. 16 on the campus of MSU. The two roads have been closed since March 2008 for construction of two new railroad overpasses.

"The New Farm Lane is the culmination of several years of hard work and planning with many of our community, state and federal partners and supporters,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. "The improvements made to the roads involved in the Farm Lane project were designed with the safety of all who use those roads daily or come to MSU for special events. We included environmentally friendly features, and enhanced the student learning experience by providing opportunities to study water quality management and construction and engineering challenges.”

The large-scale project lowered Farm Lane under two railroad crossings, widened and realigned the road, improved drainage, and added sidewalks and bike paths. Both Farm Lane and Service Road officially reopened Sept. 30, after being closed for more than a year. The project was a joint partnership between MSU and the Michigan Department of Transportation, or MDOT.

"The Farm Lane underpass project presented a unique opportunity for MDOT to partner with MSU both in construction and design," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "Everyone was able to work together to create a safer, more efficient roadway that will serve the MSU and East Lansing community long into the future."

“Safety and emergency response concerns were critical considerations for this project,” said MSU Board of Trustees member Colleen M. McNamara. “We also looked at ways in which we could improve the economic vitality of our business communities. With the new Farm Lane there are regional east-west business traffic flow improvements, as well as better access to I-496 and the interstate highway system.”
 
MSU and MDOT hosted a ribbon-cutting event today to officially dedicate the New Farm Lane and give the public an opportunity to view the improvements.
 
For more information on the project, including before and after pictures, visit the project Web site at: http://www.michigan.gov/farmlane.
  
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