The construction Web site indicated the Farm Lane Underpasses project is aiming to develop a safer route for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as improve access and north-to-south campus traffic flow for emergency vehicles and Capital Area Transportation Authority buses.

Bob Nestle, university engineer at the Physical Plant, said he doesn’t expect the lane closures to have any major impacts on campus traffic.

“It was specially scheduled for a non-football weekend,” Nestle said. “We want to minimize the time Farm Lane is out of commission.”

Nestle said that with the relocating of water mains, students may notice campus water will turn red due to the settling iron. He said the color change will not produce any health or safety issues and the water is still usable.

Steve Hadersbeck, landscape architect for the Physical Plant, is the project manager for the Farm Lane Underpasses project and will monitor planning teams and oversee construction to ensure it complies with MSU road standards.

The planning teams consist of students, faculty and Physical Plant employees who work together to focus on different aspects of the construction project such as water quality management and landscaping around the new roads.

“It is our goal to create a setting and environment that has the integrity and character to last several lifetimes,” he said.

Hadersbeck said this weekend’s task is phase one of the Farm Lane Underpasses project and phase two — which will begin in March of 2008 and last through the summer of 2009 — is the stage where contractors will begin the erection of the new road.

Jeff Kacos, director of campus planning and administration, said the project was a partnership between the Michigan Department of Transportation, or MDOT, and MSU. Kacos said multiple sources have allocated funds for the project including the Federal Highway Administration, Michigan’s Jobs for Today program and the companies for the railroads that cross Farm Lane. He added that the preliminary estimate for the cost of the project is $35 million.

“The partnership with MDOT has been outstanding,” he said. “They understand all the nuances of the federal laws which we have to follow carefully in order to receive federal funding.”

Once phase two begins, Farm Lane will be closed to all traffic from Wilson Road to Mount Hope Road. Kacos said once the project begins in the spring, Baker Woodlot will have one less access point on the southwest corner at Farm Lane but entrances on the east end at Bogue Street will remain open to traffic.

As for Commuter Lot, the Farm Lane access drive will only be blocked for part of the time but drivers can still use the driveways facing Mount Hope Road, Kacos said.

Nestle said the Physical Plant doesn’t expect any prolonged periods of lane shutdowns on Farm Lane until the spring, however, they may occasionally block off one lane at a time for minor construction.