Smarter Streets Ahead

Starting in April, with construction lasting through this fall, Main and Michigan/St. Joseph streets will be converted from one-way to two-way streets.

From Chippewa Avenue to Bartlett Street, work will bring streetscape improvements, in addition to the construction of three new roundabouts—at Michigan and Bartlett, Michigan and Marion, and Michigan and Chippewa.

I want to be candid about the inconvenience: your commute may be affected by construction, particularly in late summer as the intersections of Michigan at Bartlett and Marion are taken out of service for three months while the improvements are made. But the resulting improvements will be well worth the temporary disruption.

During construction, access to businesses and residences in the area will be maintained. To keep residents and business owners up-to-date on construction progress and traffic patterns, the City will maintain this special website, host live web cams, and attend public meetings throughout the year.

It’s all part of South Bend’s Smart Streets initiative to create safer, more appealing streets while creating a more vibrant downtown with a stronger sense of place.