The project, partially funded by a Michigan Department of Transportation grant, will provide a second entrance to MSU's main campus off Hagadorn Road. Shaw Lane is the only campus street that previously linked with Hagadorn north of the railroad tracks.

“We have the busiest intersection in Ingham County right down here on the other side of the road," East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows said. "This will help relieve a lot of the traffic issues that we have here and promote and administer safety in a great way."

MSU Interim President John Engler said all levels of government worked together to complete the project, which will provide a route for in the event of an emergency along Hagadorn or on the railroad tracks.

“It’s nice to have partnerships, and we had a great one on this one," Engler said at the ceremony. "The city of East Lansing worked with us, secured some grant support and the Michigan Department of Transportation ... approved grant funding for this. Ingham County and their road department was also extremely supportive.”

MSU Trustee Melanie Foster said the Board of Trustees saw a need to reinvest in infrastructure that "supports the day-to-day functions on campus and the surrounding community."

“It isn’t often that we celebrate the opening of a road, but today this isn’t just a road," MSU Trustee Melanie Foster said. "It is a partnership between many — most importantly, the state of Michigan and the city of East Lansing."

Michigan Department of Transportation Director Mark Van Port Fleet said the project could not have been done without the support from the community.

“MDOT worked with MSU and the city of East Lansing to enhance the safety of traffic across campus," Van Port Fleet said. "The collaboration of MSU, the city of Lansing, the Ingham County Road Commission and MDOT were key in moving this project from vision to fruition.”