WALKER, MI – Construction crews are months away from starting a major road project that will enhance a declining bridge and outdated interchange north of Grand Rapids along I-96.
When work begins on the Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge and nearby on- and off-ramps, drivers who frequently travel the area can expect significant disruptions to the flow of traffic.
However, the planned improvements – once completed – will outweigh the weeks’ worth of inconveniences the work will cause, officials say.
The city of Walker and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) are partnering together to replace and redesign the Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge over I-96 in Walker in 2025.
The city of Walker and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) are partnering together to replace and redesign the Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge over I-96 in Walker in 2025. When construction starts, driver can expect detours for months. (Bradley Massman | MLive.com)Bradley Massman | MLive.com
Walker city engineers and MDOT officials hosted an open house meeting Monday, July 8, to get feedback from residents and answer questions and concerns regarding the project. Maps detailing what’s to come were on display Monday night in Walker City Hall.
Construction is scheduled to begin in February or March. It’s a two-part project.
Crews will transform the Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge from two lanes to five lanes to accommodate the growing flow of traffic in recent years. In conjunction with that work, construction crews will also realign the on- and off-ramps on I-96 near the bridge.
MDOT and city officials are still working on different phases of the construction schedule, but the ramps will be open in the beginning portion of the project. At some point, the ramps will be closed to traffic – once work is complete, those ramps will be taken out of service – and detours will be posted.
The detour for drivers traveling northbound on Fruit Ridge Avenue will take 3 Mile Road to Walker Avenue to 4 Mile Road. For those heading southbound on Fruit Ridge Avenue, the detour consists of 4 Mile Road to Walker Avenue to 3 Mile Road.
Last year, state lawmakers approved a $25 million grant to help fund the project.
The overall project is expected to be completed by mid-November next year, MDOT officials said.
Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Grand Rapids” daily newsletter.