Kudos to MSU leaders for moving forward with plans to construct two rail underpasses on Farm Lane. It is a project that is long overdue and will help make foot, bicycle and automobile traffic in the area more safe and swift.
Although construction is not expected to begin until at least 2005, the two underpasses would be erected between Mount Hope and Trowbridge roads and could cost as much as $25 million.
MSU President M. Peter McPherson said the university will look to outside sources to fund the massive project, because its price tag is beyond the school’s financial capabilities. He said MSU leaders will lobby for federal money to fund engineering studies as well as construction costs.
Congressman Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, who sits on the U.S. House Transportation Committee, is aiming to gain $1.45 million in federal funds to pay for engineering studies and construction plan development.
It is pleasing to see MSU administrators and Michigan’s national leaders working together to ease the financial cost for the massive underpass project.
The more than 60 trains per day that use the area contribute to a total of about five hours of daily congestion for the nearly 12,000 vehicles and 500 pedestrians and bicyclists who cross those tracks each day.
But traffic flow is of less importance than safety. In February 1997, an MSU alumnus committed suicide by stepping in front of a westbound train and a Lansing Community College student was killed in January of that year when he attempted to cross the tracks in front of an oncoming train near Hagadorn and Service roads. In December 1996, an MSU osteopathic student was killed when she accidentally walked in front of a westbound train in the same area.
Similar instances have plagued MSU’s history since the main campus has spread south of the Red Cedar River. And these underpasses will not solve all the safety problems of mixing pedestrian, bicycle, automobile and train traffic on campus.
The Farm Lane railroad crossings are just two of several dangerous train crossing locations.
The creation of smoother traveling on Farm Lane may tempt many commuters to bypass the Hagadorn Road and Harrison Avenue railroad crossings for a more steady paced drive.
This additional road traffic on campus may pose a threat to the safety of pedestrians and other drivers.
MSU leaders need to continue to ensure the safety of those who travel within its boundaries. These underpasses are a start to safer campus travel, but not the ultimate answer.
Our applause to MSU officials for moving ahead with the idea for this project, which has been tossed around for nearly 20 years. Their vision stands to better the university’s plans.
