WKZO Traffic Blog

Current Road Conditions:  Sunshine. Main Routes in Kalamazoo/Portage are clear and dry.

No Accidents or Delays  

Crews continue upgrading area traffic lights at various intersections around Kalamazoo.
(ie: West Main and Sage, one lane in each direction)

Expressways
I-94 from Paw Paw to Kalamazoo to Battle Creek
US-131 from Schoolcraft to Kalamazoo to Plainwell

Local Hi-WExpressways
M-43 from Almena Twp. thru Kalamazoo onto Richland
M-96 between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek
M-89 from Allegan thru Plainwell/Otsego to Richland
M-40 from Lawton/PawPaw to Allegan

Local Routes
 - Red Arrow Hi-way/Stadium Dr to Downtown Kalamazoo
 - Parkview/Whites Rd./Cork Street from 9th St. to Sprinkle
 - Bus.Loop I-94 and Bus.Loop US-131 thru the Downtown Business District
 - Westnedge Ave. (Kal./Port.)
 - Oakland Dr.  (Kal./Port.)
 - Portage Rd.  (Kal./Port.)
 - Sprinkle Rd.  (Kal./Port.)

One lane of the northbound US-31/I-196 ramp at Washington Avenue in Holland, Allegan County, is closed to repair a collapsed catch basin. One lane of the ramp still is open to traffic.

The closure is expected to go through noon Wednesday, March 17. Updates will be issued if more information becomes available.

Report a Pothole  

MDOT suggest the following...Include route number. MDOT only repairs potholes on state trunklines.
These are freeways with M, I, or US designations (for example: I-94, M-14, US-10).
Include direction of travel and distance from cross street or interchange if possible.
To report potholes on routes other than state trunklines, contact your county or local unit of government.

In the City of Kalamazoo
please call the City’s Public Services Department at 337-8731 to report pothole concerns

In the City of Portage
contact the complaint resolution hotline at 269-329-4400

Here is the first 2010 update on the I-94 project at Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo County. Updates will be issued every couple of weeks throughout the construction season, as well as press releases noting points of particular interest.

What work has been taking place.

MDOT and the Contractors have been working to mobilize equipment and material the week of March 29th.

Message boards and traffic signs will be laid out that week of March 29th to begin work on April 5th.

The City of Portage's non-motorized path under I-94 will remain closed for the bridge work that will continue from 2009.  The Detour is posted for this closure and the closure will be in place for the entire construction season.

Upcoming Work, beginning the week of April 5th.

Work will continue on the screening walls in all areas near I-94 and Westnedge Ave.

Eastbound I-94, Nightly lane closures will be utilized to set up for the I-94 traffic shift at Westnedge Ave and the railroad bridge. Temporary pavement and temporary concrete barrier wall will be placed during this time.

Westbound I-94, Nightly lane closures will be utilized to set up a traffic shift at the railroad bridge. Temporary concrete barrier wall will be placed during this time.

Lane/Ramp Closures, beginning the week of April 5th.

Westnedge Ave will have off-peak lane closures to perform prep work for the demolition of the I-94/Westnedge Bridge. No closures on Westnedge Ave are needed at this time but will be needed later in the month of April for the demolition of the bridge.

Westbound I-94 to Southbound Westnedge Ave Ramp will be closed and detoured the week of April 5th. This ramp will be closed until November 2010.

Eastbound I-94 to Southbound Westnedge Ave Ramp will be closed and detoured the week of April 5th. This ramp will be closed until November 2010.

Eastbound I-94 to Northbound Westnedge Ave Ramp will be closed and detoured the week of April 5th. This ramp will be closed until November 2011.

Northbound Westnedge Ave to Eastbound I-94 Ramp will be closed and detoured the week of April 5th. This ramp will be closed until November 2010.

Southbound Westnedge Ave to Eastbound I-94 Ramp will be closed and detoured the week of April 5th. This ramp will be closed until November 2010.

Northbound Westnedge Ave to Westbound I-94 Ramp will remain open for the construction season.

Southbound Westnedge Ave to Westbound I-94 Ramp will remain open for the construction season.

Westbound I-94 to Northbound Westnedge Ave Ramp will remain open for the construction season.

Oshtemo roads scheduled for repair

Nineteen roads in Oshtemo Township will receive repairs this summer, putting asphalt seals on some and replacing whole sections of others.

The following roads are scheduled for repair:

•KL Avenue from Almena Drive to Fourth Street, chip seal and replace a piece of road.
•Fifth Street from West Main Street to H Avenue, chip seal.
•Second Street from West Main Street to Almena Drive, chip seal.
•Ramblewood Drive from Torrington Road to H Avenue, chip seal.
•Rose Arbour Avenue from Ninth Street to just east of Bramble Drive, chip seal.
•Signal Hill Drive, south of Nightingale Avenue, replace a piece of road.
•Windrift Avenue, west of Ramblewood Drive, replace a piece of road.
•Oshtemo Trace, chip sealing and replace of a piece of road.

The following roads will be chip sealed:

•Big Rock Drive.
•Karabrook Court.
•Countrywood Court.
•Foxmoor Court.
•Windcrest Court.
•Steeplechase Court.
•Farmwood Court.
•Hawthorn Valley.
•Arbor Valley.
•Oshtemo Court.
•Upper Valley Trail.

1. South Westnedge Avenue Enhancement Projects (SWEPS)
 
In March 2006, engineers contracted by the city began the process of designing the improvements associated with SWEPs. The city hosted an Open House on Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at Portage City Hall. The Open House allowed the public to view the preliminary design, ask questions and provide input that will ultimately lead to the best design product. Conceptual plans for areas north of I-94 have been updated to reflect revisions and refinements to the original plan. The final construction plans have been completed and forwarded to the Michigan Department of Transportation for Bidding.

Construction in 2008 focused on widening South Westnedge Avenue to three travel lanes northbound from Amos Avenue to Old Kilgore Road. Southbound, the roadway was widened to three travel lanes from north of Market Place to the westbound  I-94 on-ramp. The project included new sidewalk on both sides of the street, new concrete driveway approaches, center median construction, and landscaping.  Currently the Michigan Department of transportation has begun the constructo ofI-94 widenng ffrom east of Oakland Drive to west of Portage Road. 

The current project includes the replacement of the South Westnedge Avenue bridge and the reconstuction of the I-94/South Westnedge Avenue intersection.
 
The next construction phase of SWEPs is the scheduled widening of an additional northbound through lane from Milham Avenue to Dawnlee Avenue. The current estimated construction date for this phase is 2015-16. The final phase of SWEPs will include the widening of southbound South Westnedge Avenue from Kilgore Road to Trade Centre Way with a 3rd through lane. This phase is currently scheduled to be built in 2016-17.

2. West Milham Avenue Improvements - Angling Road to 12th Street
 
The reconstruction of West Milham Avenue from Angling Road to 12th Street is included in the City of Portage 2009-10 Capital Improvement Program Budget. For many years, the Portage City Council has established the improvement of West Milham Avenue from 12th Street to Oakland Drive as a major infrastructure improvement priority. The section of West Milham Avenue from Angling Road to 12th Street is the second phase of this roadway improvement following the completion of the section from Angling Road to Oakland Drive in 2009.
 
West Milham Avenue from Angling Road to 12th Street is currently a two-lane section of roadway which does not have adequate capacity to handle current traffic volumes. Additionally, the existing pavement is deteriorated and in need of reconstruction. This project will include complete street reconstruction of West Milham Avenue from Angling Road to 12th Street. Features of the roadway improvements include:
 - Sanitary sewer installation(Baywood Avenue to Mcgillicuddy Lane)
 - Storm sewer and drainage structures
 - Concrete curb and gutter
 - Replacement of deteriorated concrete sidewalks
 - Bike lanesConcrete driveway approaches

West Milham Avenue from Angling Road to 12th Street has been designated a Residential Conservation Corridor and the proposed improvements are intended to preserve and protect the residential character of the neighborhood. The new roadway section will generally consist of the following features:

 - One westbound through lane
 - One eastbound through lane
 - A center optional left-turn lane, bicycle lanes on both sides of the street
 - Concrete sidewalks on both sides of the street
 - Various landscaping improvements
 
During construction two-way traffic will be maintained on temporary lanes. Driveway access will be restricted during concrete curb and driveway installation.

The project will be bid in early 2010 and a contractor will be awarded a contract by the Michigan Department of Transportation to construct the project.  Construction typically begins in May with private utility relocations occurring in March or April as weather permits.  The project should be substantially complete (open to traffic) by October, 2010 with final completion scheduled for late fall 2010.
 
3. I-94 Widening and Reconstruction Project
 
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is widening I-94 from west of US-131 to east of Oakland Drive. Work includes the reconstruction of the I-94/US-131 and I-94/Oakland Drive interchanges, as well as widening 2.6 miles of I-94 to add one through lane in each direction.
 
For project details including road closure information, please visit the Michigan Department of Transportation website. You will need to select Kalamazoo County from the drop down box. You may also contact the City of Portage Department of Transportation and Utilities at 329-4422.

Canadian National Railroad has completed emergency repairs of the railroad crossing on M-62 south of Cassopolis in Cass
County early

Canadian National Railroad will be closing the railroad crossing on M-62 south of Cassopolis in Cass County for an emergency repair Thursday, March 11,  and Friday, March 12.
M-62 traffic will be detoured to Hospital Street and M-60.

I-94 Lane Shift - Tue 12/15/09, 3 PM to Fri 5/28/10, 11 PM I-94 westbound 1/2 mile west of Exit 95 and 1 mile east of Exit 98 Details:   There is a lane shift for construction of the Riverside Drive bridges. No overweight loads over Riverside Bridge at Mile 97.5.   Restrictions:   Nothing over 8.6 feet wide Nothing over 13.6 feet high Work will take place at night Work is weather dependent (no rain, cold temps, etc.) Contact:   Marshall TSC 269-789-0592 Calhoun County Expires in 77 days.  Last updated: 1/21/10 3:37 PM Lane Shift - Tue 12/15/09, 3 PM to Fri 5/28/10, 11 PM I-94 eastbound 1/2 mile west of Exit 95 and 1 mile east of Exit 98 Details:   There is a lane shift for construction of the Riverside Drive bridges. No overweight loads over the Riverside Bridge at Mile 97.5.   Restrictions:   Nothing over 8.6 feet wide Nothing over 13.6 feet high Work will take place at night Work is weather dependent (no rain, cold temps, etc.) Contact:   Marshall TSC 269-789-0592 Calhoun County Expires in 77 days.  Last updated: 1/21/10 3:37 PM Rest Area Closure - Tue 1/27/09, 12 AM to Fri 12/31/10, 5 PM Coloma Rest Area off of eastbound I-94 near Mile Marker 36 Details:   Closed indefinitely for determination of the facility.   Contact:   Coloma TSC 269-849-1165 Berrien County Expires in 294 days.  Last updated: 1/29/10 8:46 AM I-94
	Lane Shift - Tue 12/15/09, 3 PM to Fri 5/28/10, 11 PM I-94 westbound 1/2 mile west of Exit 95 and 1 mile east of Exit 98 Details:   There is a lane shift for construction of the Riverside Drive bridges. No overweight loads over Riverside Bridge at Mile 97.5.   Restrictions:   Nothing over 8.6 feet wide Nothing over 13.6 feet high Work will take place at night Work is weather dependent (no rain, cold temps, etc.) Contact:   Marshall TSC 269-789-0592 Calhoun County Expires in 79 days.  Last updated: 1/21/10 3:37 PM
	Lane Shift - Tue 12/15/09, 3 PM to Fri 5/28/10, 11 PM I-94 eastbound 1/2 mile west of Exit 95 and 1 mile east of Exit 98 Details:   There is a lane shift for construction of the Riverside Drive bridges. No overweight loads over the Riverside Bridge at Mile 97.5.   Restrictions:   Nothing over 8.6 feet wide Nothing over 13.6 feet high Work will take place at night Work is weather dependent (no rain, cold temps, etc.) Contact:   Marshall TSC 269-789-0592 Calhoun County Expires in 79 days.  Last updated: 1/21/10 3:37 PM

I-94 in Kalamazoo County

The largest and perhaps most disruptive road project Kalamazoo County will begin in just a few weeks when I-94 will be rebuilt through Portage and the Westnedge interchange will be replaced.

Dates have been set for the demolition of the bridge on the north side of that intersection, late on the night of April 24th. On June 20th, Westnedge will be closed again during one over night to install overhead beams.

Engineers hope that weather permitting, those will be the only times they will have to completely close the busy north-south connector between Kalamazoo and Portage.

Weight restrictions for commercial truck traffic have been imposed and enforced on state roadways from the southern Michigan border north to and including the Mackinac Bridge.

There are no restrictions for legal axle weight loads on roads designated as "all-season trunklines." On routes designated as "seasonal," there will be a posted reduction of 25 percent for rigid pavements and 35 percent for flexible pavements.

All extended permits will be valid for oversized loads in the weight-restricted area on the restricted routes. Single-trip permits will not be issued for any overweight loads or loads exceeding 14 feet in width on the restricted routes.

For weight restriction information and updates, call 800-787-8960, or you can access this information on MDOT's Mi Drive Web site at michigan.gov/drive; on "Truckers". All-season routes are designated in green and gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map, which is available online. You may also sign up to receive e-mail alerts.

Bridge repairs have been completed

Traffic Notice: The right lane of eastbound I-94 will be closed through Friday morning drive time to repair the 40th Street bridge at Mile Marker 88 near Climax in Kalamazoo County.

Tipsters reporting (1015a) that traffic begins to slow at before Galesburg. Road Crew said to be working on and below the 40th Street Bridge.

CLEARED

Westbound I-94 is closed at Riverside Drive in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, due to a multiple vehicle crash.
A detour route will be signed. Motorists may want to consider using an alternate route for their morning commutes.  (MDOT)