Friday, October 23, 2009
Tickets Available for Tomorrow!
This is such a big game that I find it very surprising that any tickets are still available. This game needs to be a sellout.
One other note: MSU has closed Munn Field for parking tomorrow due to weather. This is probably a good thing since this is one of the worst places to tailgate anyway...
Monday, August 17, 2009
Construction Update: Football Traffic
Farm Lane:
As we first reported back in April, Farm Lane will not be ready and open for football season. They suffered another setback because of all of the rain so far in August, and not all of the drainage is completely functional yet. They were granted an extension until September 22nd, and that is the current date they are looking at for reopening the road and sidewalks. The comment at the Construction Junction was "We might be able to do better, but that's the plan."
It should be noted that the date of September 22nd is for opening the road, not the completion of all work. There will be periodic lane closures for landscaping work, etc. related to the project. Those lane closures most likely won't occur on game days.
Mt. Hope Road Reconstruction:
They are scheduled to reopen the closed section of Mt. Hope (currently by the commuter lot from Farm Lane to Harrison) tomorrow, August 18th at the latest. It could already be open (I've not driven over there) because as of last week they were "Quite a bit ahead of schedule." At this point the section from Harrison west to the US127 overpass will go down to one lane in each direction. While this will cause some traffic backups, it should not be nearly as big of a problem as the full road closure has been. They have had to put flaggers at some intersections because of traffic backups.
One consideration here though is that the intersection of Mt. Hope and Harrison will be reconfigured slightly during the construction, and so there may be some slow down at this point on football Saturdays. But that said, with the pace they are ahead of schedule, it's possible that this project won't last long into the season anyway.
Birch and Wilson:
This was supposed to be done last Friday, but is running delayed. Roads and sidewalks should now open on Saturday, August 22nd at the latest, so no issues for football here.
Shaw:
Shaw by the Cyclotron has been down to one lane for much of the summer. This will be back to normal by football season.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Construction Update: Football Traffic Update
First, for the Farm Lane project, a firm open to traffic date has still not been set. However, we do know that contractually, they have only until September 22nd to finish all work. If all available time is used, that would have it opening after the first two home games (Sept. 5th, Sept. 12th) but before the Michigan game on Oct. 3rd.
We also have been told that Farm Lane will most likely open to both vehicles and pedestrians at the same time. One thought floated by fans was to open the sidewalks to pedestrians early if possible, so that there would at least be a walkable route to the commuter lot from Spartan Stadium, even if the buses still had to take the detour. It looks like this will not happen.
Second, the Mt. Hope resurfacing project time line is becoming clearer, thanks to the City of East Lansing's Project Clause. While a more detailed schedule will be set once a project bid is accepted, a general timetable is available now. According to the document, the project is divided into several phases. Phase I would begin on July 27th or within ten days of the contract being awarded. Once lane closures began, they would have fourteen days to reopen those lanes, with August 29th being the end point for this phase. Phase II would start immediately following Phase I, and this phase will include lane resurfacing and closures as well. Once that starts, the contractors will have thirty days to complete the work, with a contractual completion date of Oct. 2nd.
One interesting point from the document specifically concerns football game days. From the document:
"No work shall occur that impacts traffic outside of the approved lane/road closures on the following dates:It is nice to see this requirement specifically laid out early on in the bidding process. It recognizes the issues the project may place on football traffic and shows that there is a conscious attempt to minimize them. It also inadvertently recognizes the potential for project delays by listing a "no work day" on Oct. 3rd, a day after the project's completion date of Oct. 2nd.
MSU Student Move-in: August 30, 2009, August 31, 2009 and September 1, 2009
MSU Home Football Game (Montana State): September 5, 2009
MSU Home Football Game (Central Michigan): September 12, 2009
MSU Home Football Game (University of Michigan): October 3, 2009
Any hauling, loading, grading, paving or any other activity that involves any impact on the remaining travel ways on any street shall be prohibited on the above dates."
Looking at what we know now about the project completion dates for both Farm Lane and Mt. Hope, the "fun" scenario outlined a few weeks ago looks like a strong possibility. This is where Farm Lane opens before Mt. Hope is complete, causing a large increase in traffic to the area, and therefore backups. While the completion dates on the projects suggest this may occur, both completion dates are currently scheduled for after the second home football game but before the third. So, if both can open before their contractual end dates, there will be no issues for the first big home game, against Michigan on Oct. 3rd.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Construction Update: Football Parking
First and foremost, it was announced at Thursday's meeting (and it was reported in the State News) that Mt. Hope road will be resurfaced this summer. This wasn't originally on the schedule, but evidently the federal stimulus package is contributing the funds. The stretch of road that will be affected is from the US-127 bridge to Farm Lane. Construction is slated to begin in late July or early August, in order to have the project finished by fall welcome for students (and whenever anyone says "fall welcome for students," think "first football game." That is what everyone really cares about.)Then there is the bigger issue of the delay to the Farm Lane underpass project that was first discussed on this site back in April. The project appears to be staying on the revised schedule, which should have it completed sometime within the first few weeks of football season. We'll let you know if we hear anything different.
Finally, there is a massive steam tunnel reconstruction going on at Wilson and Birch on campus. This is the area between Wilson and Holden Residence Halls. This project is slated for completion before "fall welcome for students."

Looking at all of these projects together, the first few football games this year have the potential to either be much better traffic-wise than last season, or be much worse for parking and traffic than anything experienced recently. If all projects finish on time or early, football traffic should be a breeze this fall. But, assuming that Farm Lane does not open, than football parking will start with the same busing hassles that fans endured last season. If either the Mt. Hope resurfacing or the Wilson/Birch projects are delayed, fans will be looking at additional issues. Wilson/Birch is very close to the student tailgating area at the Tennis Courts, which can already be a traffic nightmare before some games.
If Farm Lane is closed, and Mt. Hope is delayed, there will not be much of a difference to those parking in the commuter lot. A few extra minutes added to an already much longer trip is not worth complaining about, and many people who would park in that lot are parking in other areas until Farm Lane reopens. However, the "fun" scenario is if Farm Lane opens early, but Mt. Hope is delayed. Fans will flock back to the commuter lot for parking and what will be the quickest bus trip ever to Spartan Stadium. But first, all those fans would have to endure the massive backup caused by the resurfacing in order to get there.
If I were to make a prediction based on my knowledge today, I would guess that Wilson/Birch will finish on time, Farm Lane will open about two weeks into football season, and Mt. Hope will open sometime after the first game. So, parking for that first game could be tricky. Working in fans favor though is MSU's schedule, where the first game is hardly worth printing the fancy glossy tickets. There is a good chance some fans won't be showing up anyway.
We'll continue to monitor the status on these projects.
Image courtesy of Michigan State University.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Expanded Breslin Parking?
The State Police have occupied the 23 building complex since 1917, but they technically lease it from Michigan State University. When they move to their new facility, control of the sixteen acre complex will revert back to the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. From there, the best bet for its use will simply be a parking lot.According to Campus Planning & Administration, the site is "earmarked for peripheral parking" consistent with the Campus Master Plan. "The university has informally conceived numerous land use options for the site," said Steve Troost, Campus Planner. "I do not know of any final plans at this time other than, some or all of the site will be used for peripheral parking."
A sticking point for the University may be what to do with the main Administration Building and Mapes Hall. While the entire site is technically listed on the State Register of Historic Sites, those are the two most visible and historic buildings. Because of their age, it is doubtful that the University would have any suitable use for them, and will most likely seek to demolish them rather than pay for the upkeep of unused buildings. But, because of their historical significance, there may be some opposition to this plan.Regardless of the final outcome, once control of the site is returned to Michigan State, fans should expect an expansion of their gameday parking options. This will be especially useful during basketball season, as the site will provide closer parking than the lot at Spartan Stadium, where many fans who cannot park in the lots to the east of Breslin currently go.
Photos courtesy State of Michigan and waymarking.com
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Farm Lane May Not Be Ready For Football

At this month's Construction Junction on April 9th, an update was given on the status of the project, where it was announced that the project was behind schedule because of "challenges this winter."
"It appears the Farm Lane project may not open now to traffic until late summer/early fall which would put it after fall semester begins," said Karen Zelt, of the MSU Physical Plant. "We are still hoping that the roads will reopen before school begins in August, but the project currently is slightly behind schedule."
Fall semester is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, September 2nd. The first MSU football game is that following Saturday, September 5th against Montana St. The Spartans play again the next Saturday, September 12th, against Central Michigan.
MSU's football schedule may actually end up looking pretty lucky with regards to parking and traffic. Playing the first two home games against smaller schools means that there should not be the enormous crowds coming to campus that some Big Ten games generate. And after those two opening games, officials will have a little more time to open the road. MSU is away for two weeks until they return October 3rd against Michigan.
Photo courtesy of MSU
Monday, April 20, 2009
It's Game Week
MSU Spring Football is here, and it's finally game week! It's a little different, obviously, because no one is sitting here breaking down an opponent, or trying to figure out a good hotel in Madison. Regardless, lets preview game day:
Time and Date: 1:30 p.m. on April 25th
Location: Spartan Stadium
Parking Lot's Open: Early! As this is not an official game, there are no special tailgating rules. This means that the tailgating lots should be wide open like they are any random Saturday.
Tailgating: Do it! However, as there are no special tailgating rules, normal MSU laws are in effect. This means that technically no alcohol is allowed anywhere. Past experience suggests that as long as you don't cause a problem, you won't have a problem.
Admission: The game is free!
Spirit Shop and Garage Sale: In past games, the MSU Spirit Shop in the stadium has been open. MSU has no plans to do an athletic garage sale this year.
Weather: As of today, the forecast for East Lansing, MI is a high of 76, Partly Cloudy.
Food: In past years, some concessions in the Stadium have been open. If grilling at a tailgate isn't your thing, my suggestion would be to grab a quick lunch up at Panchero's on Grand River, and after the game, head down to Leo's Lodge on Jolly. This is where you are most likely to run into me anyway...
Stadium Seating: Because there are no tickets, feel free to sit where ever you want! Some people prefer their regular seats, or just sit where their season tickets are out of habit. Others head right for the "Best Seats," those down closer to the field around the 50 yard line. My suggestion is to try someplace where you couldn't normally ever sit. Not many students come to this game, so check out their view from the student section. Ever wondered what the worst seat is? Check out the top corner of the upper deck! Or for $50 bucks, sit in the press box.
Kids: There is a free youth clinic 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. on game day at the grass practice fields behind the Duffy Daugherty Football Building. Kids 8-12 years old. Parents should come along, no registration or equipment is required. There will be an autograph session afterward.
TV: No live TV. Unlike last year, the Big Ten Network is not showing any of the Spring Games live. They will have highlights on later that evening. There is also no live-steam on the internet.
Radio: Spartan Radio Network will broadcast the game, although it's not entirely assured that every affiliate throughout the state will carry the broadcast.
Other Stadium Thrills: Don't expect much. Past games generally lack most of the normal game day traditions, such as the Marching Band or Thunderstruck. Some years, band members have shown up and played from their spot in the stands (Awesome!). There will be a short halftime show with the start of a charity bike ride to Mexico which will include some former Spartan players, including NFL Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure.
So, everyone attending should look forward to an exciting event. Good weather, free parking and admission, tailgating... all in a very relaxed, casual atmosphere because there is no stress caused by 1) Sold out crowds or 2) Fear of losing. It should be a beautiful day for football!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Construction Junction Tomorrow Morning
Engineering and Architectural Services, a branch of the Physical Plant Division, continues “Construction Junction” Construction Planning and Progress Meetings. These meetings serve as monthly opportunities for the campus community and its neighbors to offer input and ask questions about planned construction across campus.
Construction Junctions are at 8:30 a.m. the second Thursday of the month. Meetings are in B104 Wells Hall.
· Emmons Hall Renovation
· Life Science Addition
And updates on various projects, including:
· The New Farm Lane — Underpasses Construction
· Wilson/Birch Roads – Steam Distribution and Road Reconstruction
· Wharton Center — Addition No. 1 and Renovations
· Cyclotron – Office and Low Energy Research Additions
· MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Facility
· Secchia Center — MSU College of Human Medicine Grand Rapids
Th
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Construction Junction Tomorrow Morning
The next MSU Construction Junction is tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. While the meeting agenda does not have any specific athletic facilities to be discussed, there are several road projects that may impact those attending athletic events, as well as an update on the Farm Lane project, which we all know impacts football parking. The announcement is below:
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Construction Junctions are at 8:30 a.m. the second Thursday of the month. Meetings are in B104 Wells Hall. (http://maps.msu.edu/interactive/index.php?location=wh).
The agenda is as follows (subject to change):
- MDOT: US-127, I-96 Road and Bridge Work (for more information and to subscribe to project listservs, visit www.michigan.gov/mdot).
- City of East Lansing: Mt. Hope Road Reconstruction (from US-127 to Lot 89), and Harrison Road Reconstruction (from Red Cedar bridge to Trowbridge Road intersection)
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MSU Food Stores: Alterations to freezer walls
The meeting will also provide updates on various projects:
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The New Farm Lane: Underpasses Construction
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Wilson/Birch roads — Steam Distribution and Road Reconstruction
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Wharton Center — Addition No. 1 and Renovations
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Cyclotron — Office and Low Energy Research Additions
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MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Facility
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Secchia Center — MSU College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids