The closure of 28th Street in Wyoming, Michigan, began this morning, marking a new phase in the city's infrastructure improvements focused on pedestrian safety and the development of a new downtown area. As part of the ongoing City Center project, workers will install a 600-foot pedestrian bridge to provide a safer way for residents and visitors to cross the busy corridor. "The bridge is not only meant to beautify the area but also to make it safer for pedestrians," city officials emphasized in a statement obtained by WZZM13.
The decision to delay the installation, initially set for February 21, was due to Michigan's unpredictable winter weather. This set back prompted a full closure of the road from Michael and De Hoop avenues to Burlingame Avenue, which is expected to remain until tomorrow. Despite the postponement, the bridge remains on track to open this upcoming summer. The City of Wyoming's Facebook page further informed the public of the schedule, as reported by MLive.
Along with the bridge construction, downtown Grand Rapids is also experiencing significant road disruptions. Division Avenue is to close down for an extensive project intended to upgrade urban walkability, enhance lighting, and implement necessary utility improvements. This effort will reshape the face of downtown through a reframing of the urban landscape from Michigan Avenue overpass to Fulton Street, with an expected project completion stretching into November. Drivers navigating these areas will find detours crucial and should anticipate added travel time, as per WOODTV.
Community members interested in watching the bridge installation can do so from a designated public viewing area on the south side of 28th Street, located in the former Lindo Mexico parking lot. The pedestrian bridge, along with trails, streetscaping, and design elements, are part of a larger city center project funded partly through a $20 million state budget allocation granted in June 2023.
