US-131 at Leonard St, Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — One of the major projects for the Michigan Department of Transportation Grand Region begins Monday with a lane closure that is sure to cause backups, especially in the afternoon, plus a ramp closure to add to the mix.
An extra lane will be added on the right of northbound US-131 from Leonard Street to Ann Street. Called a weave merge lane, it will give drivers extra room to merge with traffic as they get on board from Leonard Street and add more room to drivers leaving US-131 at Ann Street.
To get started, MDOT plans pavement repairs for the left lane on that stretch of the expressway. The left lane will close on Monday, April 15, at 9 a.m. and remain closed until Friday at 9 p.m.
In addition, the ramp from eastbound I-196 to northbound US-131 will close Monday at 9 a.m. and remain closed until the end of September. The closure is necessary to keep traffic moving on US-131 while the work on the new lane progresses and squeezes traffic to the left. You will have to continue on eastbound I-196 to exit at College Avenue, then return to US-131 on westbound I-196.
Work on the entire project is scheduled through September 25.
Follow @FOX17Traffic on Twitter for updates during the project.
