Last week university officials opened a new road at the south end of campus. 
The road is intended to ease traffic flow and provide a better route to the RecPlex and intramural fields.
Hail State Boulevard is located at the intersection of Stone Boulevard and connects Poorhouse Road and Blackjack Road.
A ribbon cutting for the 3.5-mile road was held Sept. 1, where many participated in the ceremonial first ride down the new street. 
One of the participants was Regina Hyatt, vice president for Student Affairs, who said the ride was scenic.
“It was awesome,” Hyatt said. “It’s a beautiful view of the South Farm. We saw the horses from the horse park, and it was lovely.”
Hyatt said the new road, which includes a paved sidewalk, will help students access the sporting facilities located on the south end of campus.
“We have a paved bikeway and walkway that go all the way down to the RecPlex,” Hyatt said. “Students will be able to literally walk or ride their bikes all the way. Then, on game day if students live off campus, we think this road will provide a lot of relief for people leaving campus after game day to get back to their homes.”
According to MSU President Mark Keenum, the $18 million road project was in the works for about 12 years.
The project began under the leadership of former MSU President Dr. Charles Lee. 
Keenum said he was serving as chief of staff to Senator Thad Cochran when he spoke with Lee about the vision to have a new southern entrance road.
“It’s been a real complex process to get to the road at this point, but I owe a real great debt of gratitude to Thad Cochran and Dr. Charles Lee for his vision, but also the county board of supervisors for Oktibbeha County,” Keenum said. “We wouldn’t be here today without the partnership between Mississippi State and our county board of supervisors.”
Keenum said some funds for the project was provided by the state government, through commissioners Dick Hall and Mike Tagert of the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
“They did a lot of the work—a lot of the engineering and design work and supporting work,” Keenum said.
Keenum said the new road takes pressure off of many surrounding streets, making it easier for teachers and students to come and go from campus.
“This road will be a great thoroughfare that will not only benefit the university, but the entire community of Starkville and Oktibbeha County,” he said. “This is just a great asset for our community that we’ll be able to enjoy for many years to come.”