LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and the Lansing Regional Chamber announced the reopening of Michigan Avenue this morning after being closed for a year.
The Michigan Avenue Reconstruction Project began its second phase in July 2024. The $14.1 million project stretched from Howard Street to Pennsylvania Avenue.
The work included full road reconstruction and reconfiguration, sidewalk replacement, traffic signal upgrades, and improvements to facilities, including sewers and water mains.
The construction reconfigured Michigan Avenue from five lanes to four, with two westbound traffic lanes, a center turn lane, and one eastbound traffic lane.
“The Michigan Avenue corridor is a lifeline for Lansing and East Lansing, connecting ourcapital city to one of the nation’s leading research universities,” said Tim Daman,President and CEO of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, in a news release sent to 6 News.
“This investment is about more than just rebuilding a road; it’s about strengthening the economic spine of our region. Now that the construction is complete, it’s critical that the cities of Lansing and East Lansing and our partners focus on aligning economic development priorities along this corridor, leveraging the strength of our health care and higher education institutions.Together, we can make Michigan Avenue a showcase for the Lansing region, one that attracts new jobs, investment, and opportunity.”
Headaches increasing along Michigan Ave with construction
City of Lansing Public Service Director Andy Kilpatrick told 6 News the project will bring a much-needed facelift to this major artery through the Capital City.
“We call this our capital to campus corridor on purpose. This is a linkage. We know MSU is doing so much work on Michigan Avenue and appreciate it. They’re working on the new daycare on the other end of Michigan Avenue, and that’s going to be huge having MSU’s presence right here in our city,” said Andy Schor.
Local businesses feeling the effects of road construction
During construction, local businesses like Fabianos Candies and Jerusalem Pita and More Bakery spoke to 6 News in May. They expressed frustration with the drop in customers due to the road work…