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Construction

Westnedge Avenue Reopens After $10M, 9-Month Construction Project in Kalamazoo

2024-12-14

Kalamazoo, MI has witnessed a significant transformation on Westnedge Avenue. This week, the brand-new asphalt and pavement markings were quickly concealed by the snow. The major construction project, which began in March and cost $10.1 million and spanned just under 2 miles, was completed on Tuesday, Dec. 10, just before a snowstorm hit.

Unplanned Delays and Upgrades

Unplanned sewer repairs and the discovery of skeletal remains near the work site pushed the project's completion back by a month. Public Services Director James Baker explained that it made sense to carry out sewer work while the ground was already open, without exceeding the project budget. Drivers will now notice fresh pavement between Vine Street and Cork Street, along with narrower lanes designed to slow traffic. The lanes, which were previously as wide as 15 feet in some areas, are now 11 feet. This extra space was utilized to create bike lanes in certain sections.Below is a timelapse video that allows you to take a smooth ride across the new pavement. Ten feet below the road's surface, a new water main delivers drinking water to nearby homes and businesses.Kalamazoo averages about 120 water main breaks a year, according to Baker. He emphasized that they are determined to ensure that Westnedge Avenue is not part of that statistic in the future. The single, plastic-coated water main beneath the road is designed to last 100 years. In contrast, the three lines previously under the road were installed in the 1930s and 1940s and their age and poor condition led to emergency road closures, water shutoffs, and repair expenses.

Construction Challenges and Solutions

Building around the former water lines without shutting off water to homes along the route required digging in the middle of the road. This presented significant challenges during the construction process. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, shifting closures, long detour routes, and congestion frustrated drivers and had a negative impact on local businesses along the route.The city took several measures to address these issues. They offered special signage along detour routes and a free shuttle service to customers in construction areas across the city. They also held biweekly meetings with stakeholders to gather feedback and provide construction updates.However, it wasn't enough for business owners like Paul Petros of Midtown Fresh Market, 1693 S. Westnedge Ave. He believed that the city should offer compensation for the sales lost during the construction period.

Future Construction Plans

Several years of major road work are on the horizon in other parts of Kalamazoo. In 2025, the reconstruction and conversion of Kalamazoo Avenue from a one-way to two-way will begin. In 2026, Burdick Street will see a project similar to the Westnedge one.The Kalamazoo Avenue project will adopt a new "phased" approach to road closures. Only a few blocks will be closed and completed at a time before moving on to the next section. Baker stated that they are trying to learn from the construction input received from 2022 through 2024 and take a Goldilocks approach. This approach will cost the city more but will alleviate the impacts of long-term closures on local businesses.If you want more Kalamazoo-area news, bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free "3@3 Kalamazoo" daily newsletter.