EAST LANSING, Mich. — If construction wasn't already hectic enough on Michigan State University's campus, it's going to get a lot crazier.
The development that's happening behind some Grand River businesses between Abbot and M.A.C. Avenue is also getting a new water main system. And, in order to bring those new pipes in, a portion of Abbot Road between Grand River to Albert has to be closed.
Friday, it got mixed feelings from students on campus.
"It's really going to hurt my commute. I use it every day; go to the library a lot," said Jonathan McKeegan, a Michigan State University student.
The small stretch of Abbot Road between Grand River and Albert gets a lot of traffic. Closing off both lanes of northbound so the city can replace the water main isn't ideal for some students.
"I don't know how I'm going to get around now, probably walk, maybe get an Uber. Probably bike, just got a new one probably use that instead," said McKeegan.
The city said it's a project that needs to get done.
It's been on their agenda to replace those old pipes while working on their latest developmental project. It's that continuous construction that's more of a nuisance for others than this part of the road being closed.
"Is them closing the road down going to affect you at all?" News 10's Alani Letang asked.
"I don't think so because I live off-campus. But I've been here for a while and they have been working on this forever, it is kind of annoying," said Jasmine Hunter, an MSU student.
This project is phase one of two and that will start Monday and last for about two weeks.
Phase two is the east end of those Grand River alley businesses from Lou and Harry's to M.A.C. Avenue, and that will start near the end of May.
View a detour map for motorists and pedestrians here.
Community members are reminded that they can sign up for downtown East Lansing construction alerts by texting ELBUZZ to 38470. Community members can also visit www.EastLansingBuzz.org to find the latest information about construction in the downtown.
