SIGN-001

A sign directs drivers in Kalamazoo. (Jake Green | MLive.com)

(JakeGreen/MLive.com)

KALAMAZOO, MI -- A four-mile section of M-43 will be reduced to a single lane for a significant portion of 2017.

This week, the Michigan Department of Transportation, city of Kalamazoo and Amtrak are holding an open house to discuss road, railroad and utility projects in 2017. Kalamazoo County will experience an estimated $6 million in road investment from MDOT this year, significantly less compared to upcoming and previous years, but enough to fund major repaving projects.

Representatives will discuss coordinated projects along sections of M-43 with residents and business owners at a meeting scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at the Kalamazoo Metro Transit building on 530 N. Rose St.

MDOT plans to repave mill and replace pavement on a section of M-43, also known as West Main Street, from US-131 east to Michikal Street, and a section of M-43, also known as West Kalamazoo Avenue, from Pitcher Street east to Douglas Avenue.

Construction is likely to begin in May, said MDOT communications representative Nick Schirripa, and conclude in November. A contracted cost has yet to be established, but the project is estimated to cost $2.3 million.

There will be single-lane closures for repaving and sidewalk construction along the four-mile stretch from May to November. Schrippia said traffic will be delayed for the 25,000 vehicles on average that travel through the sections of M-43 each day.

"Folks driving will want to be aware that (construction) will most certainly cause some backups," he said. "It will add a few minutes to your drive but not more than 10-15 minutes."

The largest concentration of traffic occurs between Turwill Lane and Nichols Road, where an average of 31,800 vehicles travel each day.

Additionally, Amtrak plans to reconstruct pavement at railroad crossings on West Main Street, West Kalamazoo Avenue, North Westnedge Avenue and North Park Street. Detours will be posted for the four railroad crossing intersections, though Schrippia said the work is not likely to impact the train schedule.

Meanwhile, the city of Kalamazoo will coordinate city utility replacement projects along the route to minimize delays to traffic in the future. City projects include sanitary sewer upgrades and construction of the non-motorized trail along West Kalamazoo Avenue.

"It doesn't make sense to repave M-43 only to have city come back and (work on the road) next year," Shrippia said.

MDOT will release a 2017 schedule of other significant construction later this spring.

In 2018, MDOT plans to repave US-131 Business Route, also known as North Westnedge Avenue and North Park Street, from West Michigan Avenue to West Dunkley Street. MDOT construction will include sidewalk ramp upgrades and railroad crossing repairs.

Project maps and schedules will be provided at the Tuesday meeting.

Accommodations can be made for persons with disabilities and limited English speaking ability. Large print materials, auxiliary aids or the services of interpreters, signers, or readers available upon request.