A major road project is coming to one of Grand Rapids' busiest corridors, and Walker residents will feel the impact first.

The Michigan Department of Transportation announced a $30 million rebuild of 28th Street (M-11) from Division Avenue to Kalamazoo Avenue. The two-mile stretch runs directly through the heart of the Walker community, and construction will bring lane closures, traffic shifts, and intersection shutdowns to a road thousands of commuters depend on every day.

What the project includes

According to MDOT, the project covers:

• Asphalt resurfacing along the entire two-mile corridor
• Drainage improvements to handle stormwater
• Four new signalized pedestrian crosswalks at midblock locations
• Replacement of the pump station at Division Avenue to address recurring flooding issues

"MDOT staff will provide information on project details, traffic maintenance and scheduling," the department said in a press release. "The public is invited to stop by any time during the meeting to learn more about the project and provide comments."

Timeline

Preliminary work is scheduled to begin this September. The bulk of construction will take place throughout 2027.

Drivers should expect ongoing lane closures and traffic rerouting during the build. Short-term intersection closures will occur while paving crews work.

Public meeting this Thursday

MDOT is holding a public meeting for residents and local businesses to hear more about the project and share concerns.

• When: Thursday, May 21, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Where: Grand Rapids Fire Department, 2541 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
• Who can attend: Community stakeholders, city representatives, local businesses, interested residents, and MDOT staff

Attendees who require mobility, visual, hearing, written, or other assistance for effective participation should contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462 or CurryO@Michigan.gov, preferably at least five business days before the meeting, according to MDOT.

Why it matters for Walker

28th Street is the primary east-west artery through Walker Township. Residents and businesses along the corridor have dealt with flooding near Division Avenue for years, and the pump station replacement is designed to address that problem directly.

The four new pedestrian crosswalks will add signalized crossings at locations where walkers currently have no protected crossing points, according to MDOT project descriptions.

For real-time updates on road work and traffic conditions, MDOT directs drivers to its MiDrive map.

Sources: MDOT press release, WOODTV, WZZM13