A completely different MSU road infrastructure is just around the corner. The 20-year Master Plan places special emphasis on the way Mississippi State should accommodate its drivers, pedestrians and shuttle riders.
Construction of new parking lots and roads are the primary goals of the Master Plan’s infrastructure strategy.
Ray Hayes, vice president for finance and administration, said the university is aiming for a more pedestrian-friendly method of parking and driving throughout campus.
Parking is set to undergo many changes during the next few years.
“There will be much less traffic (on campus),” Hayes said. “The central part of campus will be focused on being pedestrian-friendly, whereas the exterior of campus will be used for parking.”
Gaddis Hunt, chief administrative officer for finance and administration, said that in the near future, a commuter lot will probably be constructed off Stone Boulevard where the old intramural fields are located. He also said the university plans to pave the south lots on Hardy Road by next fall.
“The plan is to have student parking on the south side of campus paved, lighted, safe and secure by the fall of 2005,” Hayes said.
A big commitment is needed to have an improved parking situation by fall 2005, but it is possible, Hunt said.
The completion of Creelman Street and Russell Street, two streets that help make up Malfunction Junction, are also expected to be converted from one-way streets to two-way streets by fall 2005.
Malfunction Junction is expected to see its demise as well. Plans are to remove the extension of Lee Boulevard, which runs by Bost Extension Center. After the deconstruction of that road, plans are to add either a four-way stop or roundabout like the one located on Blackjack Road to the meeting point of the four remaining roads.
“There’s a kind of planned progression for students and faculty,” said Bob Johnston, assistant director for facilities, planning and construction. “Before you can renovate roads you have to construct parking away from the center of campus.”
The idea behind the plan is that once parking is moved to the outside of campus, less traffic will be present in the central area, which will allow a safer walking experience for students and a quicker ride for those in shuttle buses.
“The shuttles right now operate under the same streets as commuters, which is difficult, especially getting folks from class to class. Hopefully, by providing more acceptable parking opportunities at the edge of campus, it will reduce the amount of vehicles on the roads themselves. Consequently, the shuttle buses can mover much quicker from point A to point B,” Hunt said.
The completion of road construction will take between two and three years, Johnston said.
As for other infrastructure changes, Hayes said, “We probably won’t see the end result of the change for about four to five years.”
It is possible that parking garages and more streets will be added as enrollment at the school grows, Hunt said.