September 5, 2008 -- Motorists heading to downtown Grand Rapids this weekend for Celebration on the Grand are encouraged avoid US-131 from 28th to Wealthy streets. There will be one lane open on northbound US-131 beginning at 9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5.
"We have delayed the northbound lane closures for an hour to allow motorists to get down to Celebration, but US-131 will be down to a single lane in both directions when folks are heading home from the festivities tonight," said Erick Kind, MDOT Grand Rapids Transportation Service Center manager. "We encourage everyone to seek an alternate route."
Southbound US-131 will be reduced to two lanes from 28th to Wealthy streets beginning at 8 p.m. At approximately 10 p.m., southbound will be down to one lane. The weekend lane closures will be lifted at 6 a.m., Monday, Sept 8.
"In the past we have been able to work our schedule around events like Celebration so that it is not impacted," Kind said. "This project was originally scheduled for 2009, but after the harsh winter last year, we felt it couldn't wait and the repairs needed to be made before we head into another winter. We were able to work it into this year's schedule, but were not able to take this weekend off and still complete the work before winter."
The project to repair the pavement and barrier wall repairs on US-131 began three weeks ago. Work is taking place at night and on weekends to minimize the impact to commuters.
The $4.6 million project also includes replacement lighting. Construction is scheduled to be completed by mid-November.
Protect Michigan families: Where Workers Present Drive 45! - A message from MDOT and Michigan's Give 'em a Brake Safety Coalition
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