Martin Luther King Jr. Street bridge over US-131 in Grand Rapids is closed for reconstruction, causing major detours and traffic delays for months.

The MLK Jr. Street bridge, which was originally built in the 1920s, is being partially replaced as part of a $20 million infrastructure project. Construction will last from spring through November 2026.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Street bridge from the northbound US-131 ramps to approximately 200 feet east of Buchanan Avenue will be replaced.

The project is being carried out by the Michigan Department of Transportation in partnership with the City of Grand Rapids.

What The Closure Means

The bridge will remain closed starting Monday, March 2, 2026, with demolition scheduled for the second week in April, weather permitting. Traffic is expected to be restored by mid-November 2026.

During construction, MLK Jr. Street will be closed over US-131 with traffic detoured via Hall Street, Division Avenue and Century Avenue. The northbound US-131 on and off ramps will be closed while the southbound on and off ramps will remain open.

Detour Routes

Large truck detours are as follows:

• West of US-131: Eastbound Hall Street, northbound Century Avenue, westbound Logan Street and northbound Cesar E. Chavez Avenue to eastbound Wealthy Street. Trucks are prohibited on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue south of Logan Street.
• East of US-131: Northbound Hynes Avenue, eastbound Wallen Avenue/Canton Street and southbound Buchanan Avenue to westbound Hall Street.

Vehicular traffic will use Division Avenue, Hall Street and Century Avenue. Pedestrians can use the existing sidewalk network to access Hall Street approximately one-half mile south of the bridge. Bicyclists should use Ionia Avenue, Cherry Street and Century Avenue.

Project Details

The project involves rebuilding approximately 700 feet of the Martin Luther King Jr. Street bridge east of US-131. Some of the original bridge components are still in place from the early 20th century. The adjacent western section of the bridge over Century Avenue and US-131 was rebuilt with the construction of the freeway in the late 1950s and is not included in this project.

The bridge section that is being replaced was formerly known as Franklin Street and crosses the numerous railroad tracks that are still prominent in the area.

Why This Matters

This project will replace the original structure to further extend its service life and connect communities for another 100 years. The benefits include:

• Increased safety
• Improved ride quality
• Extended bridge service life

For more information, including additional detours and alternate routes, visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Street project website.