KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A series of utility projects begin in the northwest part of downtown Kalamazoo Monday.
The projects will prepare for the coming event center and include coordinated upgrades to gas, electric, water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities that city officials say will increase reliability and prepare Kalamazoo for future growth.
The work starting May 13 will be on Westnedge Avenue, with a number of detours will be in effect in the area. Streets will be closed to through traffic but access to homes and businesses in the area will be maintained.
City officials say Cooley Street and Eleanor Street have been vacated to make way for the event center, so the utilities that run underneath those streets must be rerouted. While this rerouting is taking place, the water and wastewater utilities will also be oversized to create redundancy and improve the reliability of those utility systems.
By coordinating oversizing with the event center’s rerouting, $2.675 million of assets will be contributed to the utility systems for an investment of $300,000 by the city.
Coordinated with this work, Consumers Energy will be making a number of upgrades to their gas and electric utilities in this area. A new duct bank will be installed under Kalamazoo Avenue, Water Streeet, and Park Street, and other improvements will be made nearby.
Their substation on Cooley St will also be expanded as part of a $5.2 million investment to improve reliability and supply power for future developments, including the event center.
The different utility upgrades will be completed in phases and coordinated with other nearby projects to minimize disruption to traffic. Still, they will require a mix of lane reductions and closures, and drivers in this area should anticipate delays and seek alternate routes when possible.
Signed detours will direct drivers around active construction areas or to business located in the area. The schedules of nearby work on Ransom Street and Michikal Street will also be coordinated to make sure detour routes are available. Businesses will remain open and accessible.
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