Get Ready for Major Construction Along Michigan Avenue in Lansing

Michigan Avenue is the main drag that connects the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing to Lansing and the Capitol.

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And after over a decade of research and studies, the stretch of Michigan Avenue between Pennsylvania Avenue and Clippert Street is getting a complete overhaul.

Michigan Avenue Rehabilitation Project

The project is set to take place in late 2023 and go through late 2024. And we're not talking about some road resurfacing, we're talking about a complete reconstruction and reconfiguration.

The whole point of this project is to make both sides of this stretch of Michigan Avenue better and safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Here are the main aspects of this project:

• Road reconstruction and reconfiguration - Going from 5 lanes to 4 lanes; two westbound lanes, one eastbound lane, and one turn lane
• Sidewalk replacement
• Dedicated bicycle lanes on each side of the road
• Street parking on each side of the road
• Traffic Signal modernization
• Utility upgrades

Here's a look at what the updated roadway would look like:

Lansing Road Work and Effects on Businesses

Surely, road work of this magnitude and duration will have an effect on local businesses, but they seem hopeful.

WILX spoke with multiple business owners, one of which is Alan Coe, the owner of Triple Goddess Bookstore on Michigan Avenue near Clemens. Here's what he had to say; It’d be nice if people didn’t have to pay for the parking behind because the parking in front, which is free, is going to be gone; it’s my understanding for a while. I hope everybody is patient and still comes in even if there is some traffic disruption."

Read Related: Do You Think This Lansing Intersection Needs a Traffic Signal?

Supporting these local businesses throughout the period of construction will be critical if Lansing residents want them to remain open. No word on an exact beginning day, as some details have been finalized, but we know we can expect it to kick off before the end of the year.

You might want to start looking for alternate routes if this affects your morning or afternoon commute.