Those big orange construction signs all around campus — they're not lying.

But, for one reason or another, most people want to test the waters for themselves, ignoring the bold lettering and bright colors of the massive signs, University Engineer Bob Nestle said.

"They'll drive right past them, go down to the barricade and have to turn right back around," he said. "They kind of need to see for themselves, I guess."

While there are those who live to break the rules, Nestle said the majority of people on campus have steered clear of the construction zones.

"People get used to the obstructions," he said.

"It takes a few days for people to adapt, but they learn a different way to get to where they need to go."

Kristen Cantile said she couldn't cut through the construction zones if she tried.

"They have big white fences everywhere," she said. "They go for miles, it seems."

What normally would be a five-minute shot through campus turned into a 20-minute trek around construction zones, the psychology senior said.

"I had a lab at North Kedzie (Hall) and I had to walk around by the Administration Building," she said. "It was such a pain."

About a half-dozen road construction projects are underway and Nestle said most are ahead of schedule.

The expected total cost of this summer's renovations is about $30 million.

Here are some of the current big projects you should look out for:

• The roundabout at Red Cedar and Wilson roads intersection will be made into a traffic light.

When Farm Lane Road is shut down in 2008 to install underpasses, Nestle said the traffic volume on those roads are going to substantially increase.

"There was a concern that a traffic circle won't be able to handle that," he said. "And it won't. Traffic circles work fine with fairly low traffic volume, but they get clogged up in a hurry."

Wilson Road is being reconstructed from Farm Lane Road to Bogue Street.

The project includes new bike lanes, adjacent sidewalks, street trees and some campus utility upgrades.

There also will be some work on the steam service that feeds the Duffy Daugherty Football Building. A communications line will be installed under the roadway, and the road will be reconstructed and repaved on top of the utilities, Nestle said.

• At both East and West Circle drives, crews will be reconstructing traffic lanes and adding bike lanes and crosswalks. Underground utilities will be replaced as well.

• Eastbound Shaw Lane Road between Farm Lane Road and the Chemistry Building will be reduced to one lane until August.

• The Hagadorn Bridge, located south of the Grand River Avenue and Hagadorn Road intersection, is being reconstructed. It is an Ingham County Road Commission project.

And for those who don't like the learn-as-you-go approach to things, Nestle said they can plan their routes ahead of time by visiting the construction Web site at www.construction.msu.edu.

"A few minutes looking at that will give you a good idea of where you can get to and where you can't," he said.

The Web site provides maps to where all the construction is, gives detour routes and updates routinely every few weeks — whenever the construction changes.

Nestle said no building is completely inaccessible during the day.

They have it pretty well planned out, said Amy Motzny, an environmental studies senior, who usually walks or bikes to class.

"It's just inconvenient, if anything," she said.