TL/DR –
A significant detour on US-131 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, beginning Sunday, is expected to cause travel delays for several weeks. The highway is closing as part of a $6.2 million project to rehabilitate the old Plaster Creek Bridge. The detours will add an estimated 10 to 15 minutes to commutes, but delays could be longer if congestion occurs; the closure will extend through May 1, after which southbound US-131 will close for an additional four weeks.
Major Detour on US-131 expected to cause travel delays
Starting Sunday, a significant detour on US-131 is expected to result in traffic delays for the next few weeks. Commuters should anticipate longer journey times on parts of US-131 northbound.
John Richard, the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) communications representative, indicated the route normally accommodates 120,000 vehicles daily. Therefore, the detour could present challenges for all drivers.
US-131 will be closed and detoured at M-11, also known as 28th Street. “We’re going to reroute traffic west on M-6 to I-196 or east on M-6 to M-37 or I-96,” says Richard.
One lane of northbound US-131 will remain open from Burton Street to Pearl Street. Northbound entrance ramps at Market Avenue, 28th, 36th, and 44th Streets will be closed.
Short-term closures, lasting three to four days each, will affect northbound on and off ramps at Burton, Hall, Martin Luther King Jr., and Wealthy streets. These closures will occur separately.
If traffic flows smoothly through the detours, the addition to commutes is estimated to be 10 to 15 minutes. However, if congestion occurs, delays could increase significantly.
Richard suggests motorists find alternate routes earlier than 28th Street to minimize delays for all. The reason for the closure is to rehabilitate the old Plaster Creek Bridge, which comes at a cost of $6.2 million. The project is funded through state and federal contributions.
The bridge needs maintenance and cannot sustain any vibrations or weight. As a result, a full closure is required.
Modernizing the entire stretch of road between 28th Street and Pearl Street would cost between $600 and $700 million, which MDOT hopes to secure in future funding.
These closures will continue through May 1. Afterward, southbound US-131 at Burton Street will close for four weeks, with one lane remaining open from Ann Street to Burton Street. These measures are in place to facilitate quicker bridge repairs and ensure workers’ safety.
MDOT urges drivers to be patient, drive slowly, and avoid causing accidents that could exacerbate traffic delays. For updates on this project, you can refer to MDOT’s Mi Drive Map.
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