A Road Residents Depend On Is Getting a Major Upgrade

Drivers in Caledonia are facing months of lane closures, detours, and changed traffic patterns as one of the area's most important roads undergoes a complete transformation.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is rebuilding nearly 3 miles of M-37, also known as Broadmoor Avenue and Cherry Valley Avenue, in a $50 million project that began on March 1, 2026, and is not expected to finish until mid-September 2027.

The project covers the stretch from south of 92nd Street to north of 76th Street in Caledonia Township. It is being carried out in partnership with the Village of Caledonia, Caledonia Township, and the Kent County Road Commission.

What the Project Will Change

The rebuilt M-37 will be widened to a four-lane boulevard with indirect left-turns known as Michigan Lefts. New traffic signals with intersection improvements will be installed at 92nd Street, 84th Street, and 76th Street, as well as at the intersection of 84th Street and Cherry Valley Avenue.

The project also includes a new multiuse path along the west side of M-37 at 84th Street, according to MDOT project details.

"We don't often get to build new alignment on new roadways," said Art Green, manager of the MDOT Grand Rapids Transportation Service Center. "This is not necessarily a completely new roadway, but we are building a brand new boulevard section."

Green said the function of the road will change from how it operated before. He said the agency will be able to expand the facility and implement a safer operation for the long term while accommodating greater traffic capacity.

How Traffic Will Be Managed

MDOT officials said M-37 will remain open during construction. One lane in each direction will be maintained at all times, according to Addison Bailey, an assistant construction engineer with the Grand Rapids TSC.

"Some of the concerns are the detours and putting additional traffic on side roads," Bailey said at a May 6 public meeting. "We explained the additional traffic should be the same amount of traffic because those specific detours are just for people wanting to go through that intersection. We will be maintaining one lane in each direction at all times."

Construction is being timed around the school calendar. Officials said traffic will be managed to keep moving as soon as Caledonia Public School gets out on Friday, June 5.

A Key Intersection Will Close

Starting Saturday, June 6, 84th Street east of M-37, including the Cherry Valley intersection, will be closed for two months. That closure is when the intersection will be rebuilt in conjunction with the broader M-37 work.

The 84th Street and Cherry Valley work is a partnership with the Kent County Road Commission. A new traffic signal will be installed at that intersection. Officials also plan grade improvements on the east side to reduce a hill and improve sight distance, according to Thomas Sabin, projects and contract manager at the Grand Rapids TSC.

"They want to know where traffic is going to be reverted to and how they are going to access their residence or favorite local businesses," Sabin said. "We're investing a lot to try to maintain the northbound and southbound M-37 traffic throughout construction by building it part width."

The Two-Year Buildout

The project is divided into two main construction phases.

• Year one: The northbound roadway from 92nd Street to just short of 76th Street will be constructed. This includes work on the east side of 84th Street and the Cherry Valley intersection, as well as widening and wall work. The new 84th Street tie-in to northbound M-37 is expected to be completed by mid-August.
• Year two: The existing southbound roadway from 76th Street down to 92nd Street will be rebuilt as part of the boulevard concept.

Green said phase one included prep work, tree cutting, and utility relocations. He said those tasks are nearing completion as the project moves into heavier construction.

"Right now we're probably working on solidly five years of work from early preliminary engineering all the way to where we are right now, turning dirt and starting doing the job," Green said.

Green said the planning and design phase began around 2021. The project went through preliminary engineering, environmental review, and design before construction could begin.

Residents Get an Update

About 40 residents attended a public open house on May 6 at Caledonia Township Hall, located at 8196 M-37. The meeting was hosted by MDOT in partnership with the Village of Caledonia, Caledonia Township, and the Kent County Road Commission.

Residents were able to ask questions about detour routes, access to homes and businesses, and the project timeline.

Motorists can check for the latest traffic updates during construction at Michigan.gov/Drive.

The rebuild is part of a broader effort to address operational and safety needs in a growing area of southern Kent County. When finished, the widened M-37 will carry more traffic with improved safety features and better connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.