Residents traveling south on US-131 this week have likely been in the middle of a traffic jam due to road construction in the Grand Rapids area. According to the Michigan Department of Transportation’s website, the construction isn’t going away any time soon.

According to their website: “Lane closures for road work will remain in place through early July on southbound US-131 between West River Drive and Pearl Street.  Double-lane closures will be in effect on some weekends.

The on ramp from Turner Avenue (just north of Ann Street) to southbound  US-131 remains closed through July 7.

The off ramp from southbound US-131 to Leonard Street remains closed through July 7.”

Details on construction on southbound US-131 from Ann St. to Pearl St. are below.

What is being done?

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will resurface and make concrete joint repairs on southbound US-131 from Ann Street to Pearl Street in Grand Rapids.

This project will include:

*Constructing a connector lane to join the interchanges of Ann Street and Leonard Street on southbound US-131.This will mirror what was constructed in 2013 on northbound US-131 connecting Leonard Street to Ann Street; and Bridge improvements on southbound US-131 over Richmond Street and Indian Mill Creek/Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad will include widening, deck replacement, and substructure work.

How will traffic be affected?

Lane closures will be used throughout the project on US-131. Some local roads will be closed and detoured.

The following ramps will be closed during different stages of the project:

• The Turner Avenue (just north of Ann Street) ramp to southbound US-131;
• The southbound US-131 ramp to Leonard Street;
• The eastbound I-196 ramp to southbound US-131; and
• The southbound US-131 ramp to Pearl Street.

Throughout the duration of the project, a double lane closure will be in place on the weekends from W. River Dr. to Pearl Street, and a single lane closure will be in place weekdays from W. River Dr. to Leonard Street.

The Turner Ave on-ramp (just north of Ann Street) will be closed until mid-July.  The southbound US-131 off-ramp to Leonard Street will be closed until mid-July.