New gateway to campus opens to traffic

Contact: Nicole Thomas

A classic MSU trolley is the first vehicle to drive the newly opened College View Drive gateway onto campus, which realigns College View at the intersection of Bailey Howell Drive next to the MSU Soccer Field to connect to Barr Avenue at the intersection of Bost Drive. (Photo by Grace Cockrell)

STARKVILLE, Miss.-A new Mississippi State University gateway from College View Drive has been unveiled, transforming campus entry with the opening of a new street which enhances safety and connectivity.

The street opened to traffic today [Aug. 9] with MSU's classic trolley taking a ceremonial first drive on the fresh pavement. The project realigns College View at the intersection of Bailey Howell Drive next to the MSU Soccer Field to connect to Barr Avenue at the intersection of Bost Drive.

"Every entrance to campus is a front door to Mississippi State and the Bulldog experience," said Saunders Ramsey, executive director of Campus Services. "With this project, we have designed a street that is as beautiful as it is functional to introduce campus."

New signage and defined landscaping enhance the aesthetic appeal of the area while orienting visitors and inviting exploration. The street realignment also is an integral component of increasing efficiency and safety on the west side of campus.

"With extra parking, a new shuttle stop, protected bike lanes, raised pedestrian crossings and additional sidewalks, this project continues our effort of focusing on and improving all modes of transportation on our campus," said Jeremiah Dumas, MSU's executive director of transportation.

Construction of the new street permanently closed a section of College View in front of Howell and Giles halls that will be reconfigured as a multi-use pedestrian plaza.

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.

Friday, August 9, 2024 - 4:51 pm