In recent years, the city of Ann Arbor has completed multiple downtown construction projects, including installing public restrooms, constructing bikeways and erecting new street lighting. Most recently, the city finished a seven-month construction project Nov. 26, 2025, repaving and redesigning State Street from South University Avenue to East William Street. The months of construction and closed sidewalks resulted in the replacement of about 50 parking spots on the sides of the road with a new bus-only lane and more protected bike lanes.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, University alum Hannah Stanton-Gockel said the redesigns have improved her experience as an active cyclist.
“I felt that the cars being prioritized on that road made it a lot more dangerous and difficult to commute through as a bike commuter, but also driving through it was very chaotic because it’s a heavily pedestrianized area of campus,” Stanton-Gockel said…