A corridor that carries nearly 8,000 vehicles a day is under review

The city of Grandville is studying changes to Canal Avenue after residents complained about speeding and a traffic analysis revealed 20 crashes near one intersection over five years.

According to city records, about 7,900 vehicles travel the stretch of Canal Avenue each day. A traffic analysis found that 20 crashes occurred near the intersection of Canal and 36th Street over a five-year period. Six of those crashes left people injured, according to the analysis reported by FOX 17.

What the study will examine

The study will look at several options to help calm traffic. Those options include changes to intersections, signage, and other road design improvements, according to the report by FOX 17 journalist Giselle Valentin.

The city has not announced a timeline for the study or a budget for potential improvements.

Residents say safety is the priority

Hilary Godfrey, a Grandville resident who said she has lived in the city for about 15 years, told FOX 17 that she often sees families, walkers, and cyclists using the corridor.

"I think just the safety of people. We like to get out and do things, whether we're walking or biking, and you see a lot of people on their bikes and things like that. So just making sure that it's safe for everyone and safe for families to get around is important," Godfrey said.

Bonnie Boylan, another Grandville resident, said she does not use Canal Avenue often but is aware of the concerns neighbors have raised.

"I don't use Canal Avenue too much. I've never had a problem with it, but I know some of the residents do that live on the street, that cars are going way too fast," Boylan said.

Boylan suggested the city could explore adding another traffic light to slow traffic down at intervals.

Why Canal Avenue matters

Canal Avenue runs through a residential and commercial section of Grandville. The corridor connects neighborhoods to local businesses and serves as a route for daily commuters. The high volume of traffic, combined with pedestrians and cyclists sharing the road, has prompted calls for action from residents who want the street to be safer for everyone.

The city has not yet held a public meeting on the study results. Grandville residents can follow updates through the city's official channels.

This story was reported based on coverage by FOX 17 journalist Giselle Valentin, published June 9, 2026.