KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – City of Kalamazoo staff have revealed their initial plan to transform Kalamazoo Avenue into a two way street.
The city will rebuild the major connector from the east side of the downtown to West Main Street from the sewer lines up. It will take two years to complete, beginning in 2024, if funding can be secured.
Public Works Director Anthony Ladd says it will be an “uneven” street configuration, with two lanes headed west and one lane going east, eliminating parking on the north side of the street, and a turn lane in between. He says remaining within the current curbs will mean wider sidewalks for pedestrian traffic.
At the west end, Kalamazoo and Douglas and Kalamazoo and West Main will become T-intersections with traffic lights.
Ladd says the long term goal is to make the downtown more driver and pedestrian friendly, if they can.
The proposal does not include a bike lane.
City Planner Laura Lam says they still have a lot of discussions ahead and engineering studies to do before they will know the cost or can break ground.
(reporting from John McNeill)
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