KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Kalamazoo commuters have had to put up with a lot of orange cones for the last few years. There have been major reconstruction projects on Westnedge Avenue, the Interstate 94 interchange at South Westnedge, West Main at U.S. 131, Stadium Drive at U.S. 131 and Sprinkle Avenue at I-94.
Replacing all that concrete has put a crimp in our commutes at one point or another.
Not this summer.
For the first time in years, all major commuter routes in the Kalamazoo metropolitan area should be open for traffic during this construction season.
The largest traffic disturbances this year may take place in Kalamazoo Township. where they’re in the second year of a three-year project to replace residential streets.
The only major state project in the county will be the replacement and reconstruction of Exit 88 on I-94, where 40th Street and Michigan Avenue connect with the freeway.
That’s near the Target Distribution Center and Eaton Corporation over in Charleston Township.
They plan to build a new bridge and add longer ramps that are more semitrailer friendly. Nick Schrippa with the Michigan Department of Transportation says the original interchange was built when Michigan had a 55 mph speed limit on I-94, which permitted them to install ramps that are too short by today’s standards.
He said big rigs do not have long enough pavement to get up to full speed as they merge onto the freeway, which has caused backups and a few accidents. Making the ramps longer is one of the main reasons for the project.
He said the new bridge will also be longer, to accommodate widening I-94 to six-lanes should money ever be available for that project.
The $12 million reconstruction begins Monday.
They will be detouring traffic to the 35th Street ramp until the project is complete at the end of September.
