Keep things moving during fall move-in by keeping construction in mind
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Summer is winding down and soon Western Michigan University's campus will be buzzing back to life as Broncos prepare for Fall Welcome 2024. Western's Housing and Residence Life team has worked hard to make the move-in experience as organized and seamless as possible, and staying apprised of the city of Kalamazoo’s construction near campus can ensure headaches are limited to complicated furniture assembly and not navigation.
To improve safety and provide better connections to downtown, the city is currently engaged in a number of road projects around the community. Those visiting Western will find the easiest way to reach campus via US-131 by taking the Stadium Drive exit east toward Kalamazoo.
Construction on the railroad tracks across Howard Street at Stadium Drive is expected to wrap up Friday, Aug. 16, with all lanes reopening to traffic in time for move-in week. The city has resurfaced Howard Street between Stadium Drive and West Michigan Avenue. New left turn lanes also were added from Howard to both Rogowski Avenue and West Michigan Avenue as well as a concrete curb and grassed median island. Pedestrians will also notice new sidewalk ramps at the south side of the Howard/Michigan intersection.
Families looking to grab a bite to eat downtown or explore their loved one's vibrant new city should be aware of lane restrictions and road closures headed toward the city center in the areas of Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo Avenue, Park Street and Westnedge Avenue. Michikal Street also is closed. These detours accommodate a series of utility projects aimed at preparing for a new event center downtown as well as future growth. A detailed map and timeline of detours is available online.
A “cycle track” pilot is also underway on Lovell Street between Pitcher Street and Stadium Drive, which involves separating a bike lane from traffic with a temporary curb and reflective posts. By decreasing the number of lanes of vehicle traffic, the city hopes to slow drivers and encourage cyclists and pedestrians to engage with downtown, says Dennis Randolph, the city’s public works manager and traffic engineer.
A water main reconstruction project has significantly impacted Westnedge Avenue. The road is only open southbound for the remainder of the project, which is scheduled to wrap up in November. Howard Street will close at Westnedge Avenue beginning Monday, Aug. 19.
Since 2021, the city of Kalamazoo has secured more than $80 million in total grants for transportation, safety and stormwater infrastructure.
"These grants stipulate the projects be done within a certain time frame, otherwise the city of Kalamazoo loses the funding and the ability to make the infrastructure improvements our city so desperately needs," says Michael Smith, communications manager for the city..
"With this additional funding, and much needed investments in our infrastructure, comes additional construction projects along with the opportunity to move forward for a better tomorrow. Our investments today will mean reliable, clean and safe drinking water, along with offering safe travel for all modes of transportation, as we move toward the future."
Stay up to date with all of the city's infrastructure projects as they progress on the city of Kalamazoo's website.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.