Construction crews making improvements to Division Avenue in Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids is set to undergo a major infrastructure overhaul in 2025, centered on the reconstruction of Division Avenue. This project will enhance road conditions, add dedicated bike lanes, and introduce ornamental street lights. Funded by the city’s Vital Streets Millage, the goal is to improve the quality of streets, aiming to increase the percentage of roads rated as good or fair. Residents can learn more at the Construction Season Kickoff event on March 25, which will cover various other improvement projects across the city.
Hey there, Grand Rapids! It’s official: construction season is here, and it’s bringing some exciting changes to our city streets. Buckle up because the city has launched a major reconstruction project on Division Avenue, stretching from just north of Fulton down to Crescent Street. This isn’t just any project; it’s set to wrap up by November 2025 and will make a BIG difference in how we get around!
Let’s dive into what’s in store. The city’s construction crews are going to be super busy pulling curb and gutter lines, raising bike lanes so they’re on the same level as sidewalks, and adding some beautiful ornamental street lights and street trees. They’ll also be restoring pavement while replacing some seriously old water mains that date back to the late 1800s. Talk about a makeover!
Don’t worry, though, if you need to get through the intersection of Division and Fulton. It’s still open as that area was spruced up last year, and utility repairs were completed just in time for the colder months!
The main goal of this project is pretty clear: restore the road’s pavement surface so vehicles can cruise smoothly, while also making room for a dedicated bike lane right on the sidewalk! This means wider sidewalks for pedestrians to enjoy, making our city even more bike and pedestrian-friendly.
Funding for these exciting upgrades comes primarily from the city’s Vital Streets Millage. Since 2014, this initiative has maintained and improved an average of 59 miles of streets every year, helping to keep our roads in tip-top shape. Speaking of conditions, currently, 37% of the roads in Grand Rapids are rated as either “good” or “fair”, and there are plans to bump that number up to 61% by 2024!
But wait, there’s more! This construction season is packed with additional projects that are going to keep our city buzzing. Here’s a quick look at a few notable ones:
Curious about all these projects? Residents are invited to the Construction Season Kickoff event on March 25, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Union High School. It’s a great opportunity to get the scoop on what’s happening and ask any questions you might have!
Another handy option for staying updated is the public viewing area located at the former Lindo Mexico parking lot on the south side of 28th Street. In addition to road repairs, the 28th Street project will include the installation of a pedestrian bridge at Hook Avenue, making it safer for both walkers and cyclists.
The hard closure of 28th Street is set to last just two days, while some intermittent lane closures will take us through April. The Division Avenue project also focuses on sidewalk widening and narrowing the roadway to make sure those raised bike lanes are safe and functional.
City officials are making it a priority to keep the lines of communication open with residents to ensure minimal disruptions during this construction frenzy. Plus, don’t forget that other streets will also be getting some love either through reconstruction or resurfacing throughout our Grand Rapids neighborhoods this year. Along with that, preventative maintenance work will be ongoing for bridges.
So, as the season rolls in and improvements kick off, it’s clear that Grand Rapids is stepping up its game to make our community better than ever!
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