GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The start of the construction on southbound US-131 that will close the freeway for close to a month has been delayed due to rain.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced Monday that the scheduled close of SB US-131 at Burton Street will now begin at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30.
MDOT says that the construction delay is due to the pavement needing to be dry to apply the temporary pavement markings for the work zones.
Once the project begins, SB US-131 will be completely closed at Burton Street to through traffic. All traffic must exit at or before Burton Street. That closure is expected to last through May 24.
Throughout the construction, there will be double-lane closures on SB US-131 from Ann Street to Burton Street.
Ramps from SB US-131 to eastbound and westbound I-196 will close on Tuesday, April 30 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. to set up for traffic control.
Off ramps from SB US-131 to Burton Street will also have short-term intermittent closures, where drivers will exit at MLK Jr. Street or Hall Street.
The following ramp closures will be in effect for much or all of the construction:
- The on ramp from Leonard/Turner to SB US-131 will be closed from April 30 through May 24.
- The ramp from EB I-196 to SB US-131 will be closed from April 30 through May 15.
- The on and off ramps at Pearl Street for SB US-131 will be closed from April 30 through May 15.
- The on ramp from Wealthy Street to SB US-131 will be closed from April 30 through May 15.
- The on and off ramps at MLK Jr. Street and Hall Street for SB US-131 will be closed from April 30 through May 24.
MDOT has suggested a detour route for drives, using WB I-196 and M-6 to avoid the closure when traveling south through downtown.
The project is all part of MDOT's $6.2 million plan to improve and repair two bridges over Plaster Creek.
In addition to the SB US-131 closure, MDOT also began construction on the northbound US-131 ramp to I-96 and M-37 on Monday. The ramp is scheduled to remain closed through mid-September.
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