Frustrated Grand Rapids Drivers Will Soon Have One Less Detour

If you're new to Michigan, one thing you may not have heard is that we have five seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Construction.

For some drivers in West Michigan, it seems like it has only been construction season with all the major work that has happened over the past year.

⬇️ 25 Michigan Roadside Oddities ⬇️

A major intersection in Grand Rapids that was supposed to be open by the end of October now has a new expected reopening date.

Frustrated Grand Rapids Drivers Will Soon Have One Less Detour

Back in July, the intersection of Fulton and Division in downtown Grand Rapids was shut down to begin work on a significant part of a $5 million reconstruction project.

The goal of the project was to improve various utilities, including replacing a water main and city power duct bank. During construction, the crew encountered some unexpected challenges that delayed the work.

Grand Rapids city spokesperson Steve Guitar shared with Wood TV what happened:

"The obsolete areaways under the sidewalks of Grand Rapids were originally underground storage or utility areas for buildings, many of which were used to store coal for furnaces. They are most easily closed when construction is already underway. We’ve adjusted the foundation design to accommodate the conditions but still need to reach a depth of 14 feet at the northwest corner, which is anticipated to be completed by the end of this week."

When Will The Intersection Reopen To Vehicles?

The city hopes to reopen the Division/Fulton intersection by the week of November 11th.

As for other construction work in the area, it will still take five to six more weeks to finish the Lyon Street/Division Avenue project.

Lyon will be closed on October 31 to start that work so it can be paved in time for winter.

Get our free mobile app

As someone who takes the Division/Fulton detour everyday for work I can't wait for this to finally be finished.