GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Starting on Monday, the City of Grand Rapids will begin work at Front Avenue and Leonard Street on the city's northwest side, closing the intersection.
The project looks to install an underground duct bank for electrical and communications lines that will run northward from Leonard on Front Avenue to Webster, which will service the city's new facilities at 1500 Scribner.
"The closure [on Leonard] will run from Monroe to Front, involving that bridge over the Grand River, because we don't want folks to drive across that bridge only to be met with that closure," said City Engineer Tim Burkman.
Drivers going both eastbound and westbound will be re-routed north to Ann Street where they can cross the bridge.
"We're really trying to contain this to a two week period, because we know that's inconvenient, but we'll try to get it wrapped up and have the intersection open restored as soon as possible," said Burkman.
The city asks drivers to be mindful of potential winter weather that could delay work, but Burkman said the city looks to have the intersection reopened by Nov. 22.
Max Johnson owns Kutsche's Hardware at Front and Leonard, and while he said they will need to find the best ways to help customers get into their lot, he is glad to see the city improving its infrastructure.
"I think the hidden infrastructure is probably one of those things most people don't appreciate that you just assume is there," said Johnson. "I'm grateful to the people at the city that are doing the work, paying attention to our systems and making sure everything's functioning properly."