Section of Ring Road North, West Michigan Avenue to close Aug. 4–Sept. 22
This article has been updated to reflect a new start date for the road closure, now scheduled to begin on Aug. 4.
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Two stretches of roadway on the east side of Western Michigan University’s Main Campus will be closed to vehicular traffic from Monday, Aug. 4, through Monday, Sept. 22, to accommodate construction tied to the University’s new pedestrian green space and gateway project. The project remains on track to open the walkways in the newly created pedestrian green space on Thursday, Aug. 21, ahead of the start of fall classes. View the closure map
The road closures:
- Ring Road North, from the entrance to Parking Lot 48 (just north of Ellsworth Hall) to the road’s intersection with West Michigan Avenue
- West Michigan Avenue, from its intersection with Ring Road North to its intersection with Ring Road South (across from the Kalamazoo College athletic complex)
This work supports the ongoing transformation of West Michigan Avenue—between the Gathering Tree and Ring Road North—into a vibrant, walkable green core.
Detour signage will be in place to redirect vehicular traffic around Ring Road to the west side of campus. Originally scheduled for earlier this summer, the road closure period was extended due to weather-related delays and the need for additional subsurface work beneath the old roadway.
When completed this fall, the new green space will feature wide walkways, seating, landscaping and a new pedestrian gateway entrance at Ring Road North and West Michigan Avenue. With final landscaping scheduled to wrap up in spring 2026 as originally planned, the area is aiming to achieve Sustainable SITES Certification.
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