PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Crews continue to rebuild the Jericho Avenue hill near Rockford through a $500,000 project aimed at improving safety as students return to class.
The Kent County Road Commission says the base layer of asphalt is complete, with crews restoring the road and lowering a nearby trail to match the new grade. The top layer is expected within two weeks. Depending on weather and contractor scheduling, the project should be finished in two to four weeks, officials said Thursday.
Regrading aims to remove ‘thrill’ on hill with history of deadly crashes
To limit traffic disruptions on school days, the hill will stay open for the morning rush, close at 8:30 a.m. and reopen at 2:30 p.m. for the afternoon drive.
Officials say the work is not about repairing damage, but changing the way drivers use the steep stretch. Deadly crashes on the hill have involved both students and adults, though it sits close to Rockford High School and neighboring Roguewood Elementary.
Hill-jumping crash near Rockford that killed teen exposed fatal pattern
Jerry Byrne, the road commission’s director of maintenance, said the changes are designed to remove the temptation for thrill-seeking drivers…