City Street Construction

Main Construction Page | Freeway Construction | Local Roads

Greater Grand Rapids city streets. Construction projects on the streets of the five contiguous municipalities that comprise metropolitan Grand Rapids — Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville, Wyoming, Kentwood, East Grand Rapids.
Jenison is an unincorporated community in Georgetown Township, whose big city is actually Hudsonville. And voters in Grand Rapids Township more than once have turned down the opportunity to incorporate as the City of Forest Hills.

City of Grand Rapids helpful web pages:

Construction Updates, with project overviews and details, and dates and times of very helfpul and informative neighborhood meetings.
Road Closings , a nifty interactive map that shows current projects (but not planned projects).

Some work on city streets is funded and directed by agencies other than city government, like M-DOT and Kent County, and won't necessarily show up on the city's web site.

Below are narrative summaries and text from notifications from the city's Traffic Safety Department. Keep in mind projects are subject to the conflicting vagaries of the weather, budgets, chance, forgotten subterranean artifacts and human nature; some are long-term and some are short-lived; and all we can give you is information about plans and intentions. These efforts do not relieve drivers of the responsibility of paying attention.

UPCOMING, NEW & NOTABLE

KALAMAZOO

Stadium Dr. between US-131 and downtown

June 4, 2008 — Stadium Dr. (BL-94) is being refurbished between 11th St. (just east of I-94) and Oliver St. (downtown end of WMU campus).
    Work started on May 19. Expect a one-lane-squeeze westbound until they're done, in about two weeks.
    MDOT is spending $1.5 million to grind and repave, fix concrete and make sidewalk ramps.
    No word on closings for side streets. Sounds like Stadium Dr. will stay open, but uncomfy.

Parkview Ave. over US-131

April 8, 2008 — Parkview Ave. bridge over US-131 is closed until the end of June. Posted detour is Stadium Dr., using Drake Rd. and 11th St. For two weeks, sometime during this project, the intersection of 12th and Parkview will be closed.
Parkview will be widened to add a center lane, and the intersection of Parkview and 12th St. will be rebuilt.
Down below, US-131 will have short (20 minutes) closings between 8 p.m. and midnight, Thursday and Friday, April 10 and 11, as beams are removed from the existing bridge. Otherwise, US-131 shouldn't see too much disruption from this project, especially compared to the nearby mayhem resulting from the I-94 project.

EAST GRAND RAPIDS

Lake Dr. west of the Beltline (M-37)

June 10, 2008 — Lake Dr. is closed both ways between the East Beltline (M-37) and Woodcliff Dr., until around June 20.
Posted detour: south to Burton St., on Breton Rd. and the Beltline.<>

GRAND RAPIDS

North side: Ann St. bridge over Grand River

June 6, 2008 — Ann St. bridge over the Grand River, between Monroe and US-131, is down to one lane both ways, through the end of July.
They'll do the eastbound lanes first, then the westbound lanes, then finish the center.

Notification Date: 04/16/2008
Closure Type: Partial Closure
Street Closed: ANN STREET BRIDGE
Where: FROM US 131 TO MONROE
Starting Date: 04/22/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 07/31/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: JOHN VALLEY, SLAGTER & SONS CONSTRUCTION, 437-4841

Description: ANN STREET BRIDGE WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION FOR RECONSTRUCTION.

North GR: Monroe Ave. between Ann and Leonard Sts.

June 10, 2008 — Monroe Ave. is closed both ways between Ann and Leonard Sts., for complete reconstruction, until late October.
Posted detour is across the river, to Scribner and Turner Aves. Or you could use Plainfield Ave.
Here's the bad news: this year they'll do only the south half of the job. So next year it'll be closed again. (My dentist did both root canals in one sitting.)

Notification Date: 06/03/2008
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: MONROE AVENUE
Where: FROM LEONARD TO ANN
Starting Date: 06/09/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 10/25/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: BRAD, K & R CONSTRUCTION, 437-6302
Description: STREET RECONSTRUCTION, PHASE I, MONROE FROM LEONARD TO THE RAILROAD BRIDGE. PHASE II, RAILROAD BRIDGE TO ANN, IS SCHEDULED FOR 2009.
NORTHBOUND DETOUR: LEONARD TO SCRIBNER TO RICHMOND TO TURNER TO ANN TO MONROE
SOUTHBOUND DETOUR: ANN TO TURNER TO LEONARD TO MONROE

West Side: Lake Michigan Dr. between Covell Ave. and the Ford (I-196)

June 10, 2008 — Lake Michigan Dr. is being rebuilt between Covell Ave. and the Ford (I-196), to add a center turn lane. Everybody wants to finish before school starts in August.
It's M-45, so MDOT's handling it. They plan to keep two lanes open during rush hours, inbound mornings and outbound afternoons.

West Side: Scribner Ave. north of Bridge St.

May 27, 2008 — Scribner Ave. will be rebuilt between Bridge and 4th Sts., and will be closed both ways until late July. City was going to start today, but this afternoon they pushed back the start date to Monday next, June 2.
Scribner goes over eastbound Ford (I-196) and under westbound.
Posted detour for northbound will be over the river to Monroe Ave. Southbounders, take Leonard St. to Turner Ave.

Notification Date: 05/23/2008
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: SCRIBNER
Where: UNDER I196, FROM 4TH TO BRIDGE
Starting Date: 05/27/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 07/25/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: JOHN VALLEY, SLAGTER AND SONS CONSTRUCTION, 437-4841
Description: BRIDGE WORK ON I-196 AND SCRIBNER AVENUE FOR THE MDOT PROJECT.
NORTHBOUND DETOUR: BRIDGE TO MONROE TO LEONARD TO SCRIBNER
SOUTHBOUND DETOUR: LEONARD TO TURNER TO BRIDGE TO SCRIBNER

Northeast: Walker Ave. between Leonard and Richmond Sts.

June 10, 2008 — Walker Ave. is closed for resurfacing between Leonard St. and Richmond St. Posted detour is Bristol Ave.
Start was delayed two weeks to Monday, June 2, so we recalculate the ending date to (hmm, carry the seven, drop the guzinta) July 3.

Notification Date: 05/15/2008
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: WALKER
Where: FROM BRISTOL TO RICHMOND
Starting Date: 05/22/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 06/19/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: MICHIGAN PAVING AND MATERIALS CO., 269-965-0009
Description: WALKER AVENUE STREET RESURFACING, PHASE I
NORTHBOUND DETOUR: BRISTOL TO RICHMOND TO WALKER
SOUTHBOUND DETOUR: REVERSED

Northeast: College Ave. north of the Ford (I-196)

May 13, 2008 — College Ave. is closed between the Ford (I-196) and Leonard St., until late August, to replace the bridge over the train line by Highland Park.
Posted detour is Diamond Ave. Unfortunately, Diamond is also the posted detour when Fuller Ave. closes on weekends over the Ford (I-196).
Project budget is more than $2.5 million, but there are incentives to finish early. Contractor earns a bonus of $1,500 a day for each day it's open before the projected "open to traffic" date of August 22, for up to 15 days (or $22,500).

Kentwood: Kalamazoo Ave. between 52nd St. and 60th St.

May 13, 2008 —Kalamazoo Ave. is being rebuilt between 52nd and 60th Sts., adding a center turn lane.
Both sides have one lane open, but it's tight. Northbound Kalamazoo (coming up from the Henry Freeway in Gaines Township) has "no left turn" at 60th St., so go straight into the work-zone or turn right toward Wing Ave.

Southeast: Lake Dr. between Fulton St. and Diamond Ave.

May 13, 2008 — Lake Dr. is closed for reconstruction between Fulton St. and Diamond Ave., until Labor Day, for complete reconstruction (and not a pothole too soon!).
Posted detour will be Diamond and Fulton.
Eastern Ave. is open for now. In July, work will expand east to Abney Ave., and Eastern Ave. will close at Lake Dr. for ten days.

Notification Date: 05/06/2008
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: LAKE DRIVE
Where: FROM ABNEY TO FULTON
Starting Date: 05/12/2008 08: 00AM
Ending Date: 09/01/2008 05: 00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: DIRK, NAGEL CONSTRUCTION, 293-0964
Description: STREET RECONSTRUCTION
WESTBOUND DETOUR: DIAMOND TO FULTON TO LAKE DRIVE
EASTBOUND DETOUR: REVERSED

Southeast: 44th St. between Eastern and Kalamazoo Aves.

June 10, 2008 — 44th St. is down to one lane both ways between Eastern and Kalamazoo Aves., for reconstruction. Scheduled to end today, but it looks like it may last a little longer.
Westbound side was torn up first, then eastbound. The lane shifts start way ahead of the intersections.

Notification Date: 04/16/2008
Closure Type: Partial Closure
Street Closed: 44TH STREET
Where: FROM EASTERN TO KALAMAZOO
Starting Date: 04/23/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 06/10/2008 01:00AM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: STEVE STRASSER, C&D HUGHES, 517-645-0111
Description: 44TH STREET WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION FOR STREET RECONSTRUCTION

Southeast: Kalamazoo Ave. and Alger St.

May 6, 2008 — Intersection of Kalamazoo Ave. and Alger St. is closed until early July, for complete reconstruction. The intersection is completely torn up and impassable.
    It's part of the big rebuild on Kalamazoo, which will also close the intersection of Burton and Kalamazoo for a while. Don't expect to drive on Kalamazoo between Alger and Burton until Labor Day.
    Kalamazoo is blocked between 28th and Burton Sts. Posted detour for Kalamazoo is Eastern Ave., which tends to bog down with the load.
    Alger St. is barricaded east of Eastern. Barricades also block Plymouth Ave. south of Burton St., because Alger and Plymouth terminate together (near Grand Rapids Christian High School), and are each other's only outlets. Posted detour for Alger is Burton St. Many drivers try 28th, which jams up a lot because it's the posted detour for the 32nd St. closing.

Notification Date: 04/30/2008
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: KALAMAZOO AND ALGER
Where: INTERSECTION
Starting Date: 05/05/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 06/05/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: NAGEL CONSTRUCTION, 877-4096
Description: PHASE I OF STREET RECONSTRUCTION
NORTHBOUND DETOUR: 28TH STREET TO EASTERN TO BURTON TO KALAMAZOO
SOUTHBOUND DETOUR: REVERSED
EASTBOUND DETOUR: EASTERN TO BURTON TO PLYMOUTH
WESTBOUND DETOUR: REVERSED

April 21, 2008 — Kalamazoo Ave. will be closed both ways between Burton and Alger Sts., starting in May, through October, for complete reconstruction.
    Watermain and storm drain, and some of the sewer line, will be replaced. Also, new sidewalks and street lights will be built. Kalamazoo will get a center turn lane, and northbound Kalamazoo will have a right-turn only lane at Burton. Southbound Kalamazoo will end up with a stretch of on-street parking.
    Intersection of Kalamazoo and Burton will close for two weeks, and Kalamazoo and Alger intersection will close for about 30 days.
    City engineer holds neighborhood information meetings at Hope Reformed Church and Burton and Kalamazoo.

Southeast: 32nd St. between Breton and Kalamazoo Aves.

May 5, 2008 — 32nd St. is closed both ways between Breton and Kalamazoo Aves., until early August, for a new watermain.
Posted detour is north to (gack) 28th St. between Breton and Kalamazoo. To the south, 36th St. does not run between Breton and Kalamazoo, so your other choice would be 44th St.
Project includes drilling to run the main under Plaster Creek. Should result in reconstruction of the intersection at Kalamazoo and 32nd. (Yay.)

Notification Date: 04/28/2008
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: 32ND STREET
Where: FROM BRETON TO KALAMAZOO
Starting Date: 05/01/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 08/07/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: MARV, GEORGETOWN CONSTRUCTION, 292-4689
Description: WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT
EASTBOUND DETOUR: KALAMAZOO TO 28TH TO BURTON TO 32ND STREET
WESTBOUND DETOUR: REVERSED

Southeast: Jefferson Ave. between Franklin and Hall Sts.

May 1, 2008 — Jefferson Ave. will be closed both ways between Franklin and Hall Sts., starting Monday, May 12, until the end of June.
It's part of the city's big project to separate storm drains from the sewers. There's a big one that runs down Highland St., a block north of Hall. This part of the project will replace the big one that runs below Highland St., between Division and Jefferson. When they're done, they'll start on the next block, from Highland to Madison, and you'd hope that Jefferson will be open.
Posted detour for Jefferson will be Madison Ave.

Notification Date: 04/30/2008
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: HIGHLAND
Where: FROM DIVISION TO MADISON
Starting Date: 05/12/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 06/28/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: DIVERSCO CONSTRUCTION CO., 890-9945
Description:
REVISED TO CHANGE PHASE I STARTING DATE
REVISED TO SEPARATE PROJECT INTO PHASES.
PHASE I OF CSO #9:
HIGHLAND WILL BE CLOSED FROM DIVISION TO JEFFERSON. THE INTERSECTION OF JEFFERSON AND HIGHLAND WILL BE CLOSED.
NORTHBOUND DETOUR: HALL TO MADISON TO FRANKLIN
SOUTHBOUND DETOUR: REVERSED
PHASE II CLOSING INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED IN JUNE 2008.

South side: Division Ave. south of Hall St.

June 6, 2008 — Northbound Division Ave. is closed between Burton and Hall Sts., until late July, to replace sewers.
Northbound side will be torn-up from Home St., and barricaded at Cottage Grove, just south of the train tracks. Posted detour will be west on Cottage Grove to Buchanan Ave.
Also, Home St. will be closed on the east side of Division.

Notification Date: 05/06/2008
Closure Type: Partial Closure
Street Closed: NORTHBOUND DIVISION
Where: FROM HOME TO HALL
Starting Date: 05/12/2008 08: 00AM
Ending Date: 07/21/2008 05: 00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: DIRK, NAGEL CONSTRUCTION, 293-0964
Description: STREET RECONSTRUCTION FOR CSO #11, PHASE 1
NORTHBOUND DETOUR: COTTAGE GROVE TO BUCHANAN TO HALL TO DIVISION
SOUTHBOUND DIVISION WILL REMAIN OPEN

Notification Date: 05/06/2008
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: HOME
Where: FROM DIVISION TO VILAS
Starting Date: 05/12/2008 08: 00AM
Ending Date: 07/18/2008 05: 00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: DIRK, NAGEL CONSTRUCTION, 293-0964
Description: CSO #11

South side: 28th St. reconstruction between US-131 and Division Ave.

Friday, July 4, 2008 — 28th St. (M-11) is down to one lane both ways between US-131 and Division Ave. for reconstruction, through September.
    Yesterday both sides moved onto the new concrete, so now it's a little smoother.
    There's a center turn lane between Division and Buchanan.
    Also, Buchanan Ave. and Division Ave. are both down to one lane both ways at 28th, and some turns are blocked at both intersections.
    Think about taking Burton St., 32nd St. or 36th St.

South side: Hall St. bridge over US-131

June 6, 2008— Hall St. is CLOSED between Buchanan Ave. and US-131, until late July, to rebuild the bridge deck over the train line. Posted detour is Franklin St., using Grandville Ave. and Division Ave. Expect delays during rush hours.

Notification Date: 03/27/2008
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: HALL STREET BRIDGE
Where: FROM US 131 TO STEELE
Starting Date: 04/01/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 07/21/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: JOHN VALLEY, SLAGTER & SONS CONSTRUCTION CO., 437-4841
Description: RECONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGE DECK
EASTBOUND DETOUR: GRANDVILLE TO FRANKLIN TO DIVISION
WESTBOUND DETOUR: REVERSED

Near southeast side: Wealthy St. between Division and Jefferson Aves.

April 21, 2008 — Wealthy St. is CLOSED between Division and Jefferson Aves., until late September. Posted detour is Franklin St.
    In late May or early June, work-zone will extend east to just short of Madison Ave., and close the intersections at Jefferson and Lafayette.
    This is a $4.9-million job, part of a bigger project to replace our oldest watermains. Complete reconstruction will build roundabouts (traffic circles) at the intersections of Wealthy and Jefferson, and Wealthy and Lafayette.
    Division and Madison should see NO lane closings from this work, but there will be other jobs this year that will affect Division.
    Because this is so close to St. Marys hospital, there will be lots of temporary H signs, directing traffic down Cherry St. and Franklin St. to the emergency room.
    City engineer will hold progress meetings every other Tuesday, April 8 through September 23, 9 a.m., in the Wege Center at St. Mary’s, 300 Jefferson Ave. SE.

Downtown: Lyon St. between Lafayette and Division Aves.

May 13, 2008 — Lyon St. is closed from Barclay Ave. to Division Ave. Lyon is usually one-way westbound, and is now carrying two-way traffic between Barclay and Lafayette Aves.
    Lyon runs through Grand Rapids Community College, and just south of the Spectrum Butterworth Hospital complex.
    Division is open both ways. Work on Division will also include scraping and resurfacing, but maybe not until much later in the season.
    When the second phase starts in August, Lyon will have one lane open from Barclay to Division, while the east section is rebuilt between Barclay and Lafayette Aves. The intersection of Lyon and Lafayette will close for up to six days.

Notification Date: 06/05/2008
Closure Type: Partial Closure
Street Closed: DIVISION
Where: AT LYON
Starting Date: 06/05/2008 08:00PM
Ending Date: 06/11/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: NAGEL CONSTRUCTION, 293-0964
Description: NORTHBOUND DIVISION WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE LANE AT LYON FOR STREET LIGHTING WORK IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE LYON STREET PROJECT.

Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: LYON
Where: FROM DIVISION TO BARCLAY
Starting Date: 05/05/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 08/09/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: NAGEL CONSTRUCTION, 877-4096
Description: STREET RECONSTRUCTION
DIVISION WILL BE CLOSED FOR FIVE DAYS DURING THIS PROJECT. DETOURS FOR THE DIVISION CLOSING:
NORTHBOUND: PEARL TO IONIA TO CRESCENT
SOUTHBOUND: NEWBERRY TO OTTAWA TO PEARL
WESTBOUND DETOUR: LAFAYETTE TO FULTON TO DIVISION

Northeast: Knapp St. between Dean Lake Ave. and Ball Ave.

April 21, 2008 — Knapp St. is CLOSED between Dean Lake Ave. and Ball Ave., until the end of September. Posted detour — north to Aberdeen St., through May.
After Memorial Day, work-zone will stretch east: intersection of Knapp and Dean Lake will close until the end of September, and detour will extend to Leffingwell.
Complete reconstruction will build a whole new street, watermain, storm drain and sewer main, and plant 175 new trees.

Northwest: Leonard St. between Oakleigh and Collindale Aves.

May 15, 2008 — Leonard St. is closed for reconstruction between Oakleigh and Collindale Aves., until mid-July.
Original game plan was to keep one side open — westbound open for the first half, until about Memorial Day, then eastbound open for the second half. But things change, and nobody has a crystal ball, so what you get is what you get. At least that's what we get from the city's notifications.
Posted detour is Lake Michigan Dr., using Collindale and Covell (a long block east of Oakleigh).

Notification Date: 04/15/2008 (received April 23, 2008)
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: LEONARD STREET
Where: FROM OAKLEIGH TO CARPENTER
Starting Date: 04/21/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 05/16/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: MARK, DIVERSCO, 878-5657
Description: UPDATED TO EXTEND PROJECT END DATE
LEONARD WILL BE COMPLETELY CLOSED FOR STREET RECONSTRUCTION.
EASTBOUND DETOUR: COLLINDALE TO LAKE MICHIGAN DRIVE TO COVELL TO LEONARD
WESTBOUND DETOUR: REVERSED
THIS PROJECT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MID JULY WITH EASTBOUND LEONARD CLOSED THE FIRST HALF AND WESTBOUND CLOSED THE SECOND HALF.

Notification Date: 04/15/2008
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: LEONARD STREET
Where: FROM OAKLEIGH TO CARPENTER
Starting Date: 04/21/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 04/25/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: MARK, DIVERSCO, 878-5657
Description: LEONARD WILL BE COMPLETELY CLOSED FOR STREET RECONSTRUCTION.
EASTBOUND DETOUR: COLLINDALE TO LAKE MICHIGAN DRIVE TO COVELL TO LEONARD
WESTBOUND DETOUR: REVERSED
THIS PROJECT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MID JULY WITH EASTBOUND LEONARD CLOSED THE FIRST HALF AND WESTBOUND CLOSED THE SECOND HALF.

Notification Date: 03/26/2008 REVISED TO CORRECT DETOUR INFORMATION
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: LEONARD STREET
Where: FROM OAKLEIGH TO CARPENTER
Starting Date: 03/31/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 07/15/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: MARK, DIVERSCO, 878-5657
Description: STREET RECONSTRUCTION
FIRST HALF OF PROJECT: WESTBOUND LEONARD WILL BE COMPLETELY CLOSED, EASTBOUND LEONARD WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE LANE.
SECOND HALF OF PROJECT: EASTBOUND LEONARD WILL BE COMPLETELY CLOSED AND WESTBOUND LEONARD WILL BE REDUCED TO ONE LANE.
WESTBOUND DETOUR: COVELL TO LAKE MICHIGAN DRIVE TO COLLINDALE TO LEONARD
EASTBOUND DETOUR: REVERSED

Selected Notifications from the City of Grand Rapids

Around downtown

Notification Date: 03/27/2008
Closure Type: Full Closure
Street Closed: IONIA
Where: FROM PLEASANT TO BUCKLEY
Starting Date: 03/31/2008 08:00AM
Ending Date: 07/01/2008 05:00PM
Originating dept: Traffic Safety - 456-3066
Contact: DYKEMA EXCAVATORS, 363-6895
Description: STREET RECONSTRUCTION
NORTHBOUND DETOUR: FRANKLIN TO DIVISION TO LOGAN
SOUTHBOUND DETOUR: REVERSED

Main Construction Page | Freeway Construction | Local Roads