Construction Season Kicks Off in Grand Rapids

The City of Grand Rapids is rolling out a major construction initiative this spring, with over 100 street projects planned and a total investment exceeding $51 million from the city's Vital Streets program. The announcement came during the city's first Commission Night Out event of 2026, held at GRPS University on Fuller Avenue.

Acting City Engineer Cindy Irving told neighbors that while "March Madness is basketball," it's really the start of road construction season in Grand Rapids. The city's engineering department has focused its efforts on road improvements as warmer weather arrives.

Four Key Projects Set to Begin

Among the four upcoming road projects highlighted at the meeting are:

Buchanan Avenue from Hall Street to Corinne Street — Work set to begin in September and will include a full street closure. The $5.88 million project will reconstruct the entire avenue and has received unanimous funding approval from the city commission in agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Burton Street from Division Avenue to Kalamazoo Avenue — This project is scheduled to start in April and will involve some street closures.

Cesar Chavez Avenue from Beacon Street to Hall Street — Work was set to begin this week and will include a full closure of the avenue. The $3.5 million project is leading the service line replacement and pavement improvements.

Monroe Avenue from Coldbrook Street to Newberry Street — This project also starts in April and involves resurfacing work and upgrading sidewalks.

Business Resources and Community Concerns

The focus on business resources follows challenges faced by local businesses last year when they had to contend with months of construction on Division Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids. The city is making an effort to connect business owners with resources they can use during construction season.

During the meeting, some community members asked the commission to look at improving traffic safety on streets not yet mentioned. Ellen Atkins, president of the MLK Park Neighborhood Association, specifically requested that limited sight lanes on Kalamazoo Avenue need to be addressed.

"We're sure the city wants the residents to be safe on these streets, as the neighbors do," Atkins said. "As you begin to work on the upcoming budget, which I hear you all getting ready to do, we are urging you to keep the safety of our neighborhood in mind."

The Road Ahead

Irving emphasized the importance of patience and understanding during construction season. "The key to letting people know is so that they can plan so they're expecting to see contractors in their neighborhood."

The department is also focused on additional infrastructure work including replacing water mains and fixing potholes throughout the city. The city commission voted unanimously to fund the Buchanan Avenue project, demonstrating the city's commitment to addressing infrastructure needs while balancing the challenges construction brings to nearby businesses.

The construction season is expected to run through summer and fall of 2026, with the Buchanan Avenue project specifically scheduled to end in June 2027.