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Work to rebuild US-131 bridges over KL Avenue begins Monday in Kalamazoo

Fast facts:

  • The three-year, $24 million investment will replace the US-131 bridges over KL Avenue and the Amtrak railroad in Kalamazoo.
  • Two lanes will be maintained in each direction of US-131 throughout the project.
  • KL Avenue will be closed under US-131 and the Stadium Drive ramp to northbound US-131 and detoured.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) on Monday, April 15, will start work to rebuild the northbound and southbound US-131 bridges over KL Avenue and the Amtrak rail in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County. The three-year, $24 million project is expected to be completed in June 2026, with work pausing for each winter.

In addition to rebuilding the two bridges, work will include sanitary sewer, culverts, hot-mix asphalt rebuilding, a nonmotorized path along KL Avenue, approach work, and pavement markings on US-131.

Work in 2024 will require only shoulder closures on US-131 while a temporary bridge is built for use in 2025 during bridge rebuilding. Work in early 2026 includes bridge coating and final paving on KL Avenue.

KL Avenue will be closed throughout construction, with traffic detoured on Drake Road, West Michigan Avenue, and 11th Street.

The Stadium Drive ramp to northbound US-131 also will be closed, with traffic detoured via Stadium Drive, Drake Road, and West Main Street.

Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 341 jobs.

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