GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Mar. 11, 2022) – A major artery into Holland from the south will be blocked off for a second year running.
Beginning now on Monday, March 21st, contractors retained by the Michigan Department of Transporation will block off the ramp from northbound I-196 to northbound US-31 south of Holland. This will be to facilitate the renovation of about three miles of US-31, from this junction to Central Avenue. This was the posted detour route last year when the ramp from northbound I-196 to US-31 was closed due to rebuilding the interstate highway from Saugatuck to Holland.
On Friday, MDOT officials at the regional office in Grand Rapids announced the week’s delay for the start of the project, which initially was set for March 14th.
The first phase of the work will have southbound traffic use the northbound lanes while efforts to install a new roadway, replace culverts, improve sewers and drains, and upgrade bridges are done on the southbound lanes. Later on in the summer, southbound traffic will shift back over while similar renovation is done on the northbound lanes. MDOT officials are hoping to have everything complete by mid-November.
Northbound traffic will be diverted during this time onto the M-40 exit and directed along Lincoln Road, East 48th Street and Lincoln Avenue to US-31.
In addition, Washington Avenue northbound will be blocked off at 64th Street, with traffic diverted eastward to Lincoln Avenue and merging with detoured US-31 northbound traffic. Motorists headed for West Michigan Regional Airport from the south will need to go through 48th Street to Washington Avenue and approach the facility from the north.
According to MDOT officials, the $25 million-dollar project will utilize over 300 workers.
