Bridge work in Grand Rapids starts Sept. 22 at the US-131/I-196 interchange

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is investing about $1.3 million to improve five bridges at the I-196/US-131 interchange in Grand Rapids. Work includes concrete substructure repair, slope improvements, bearing replacement and painting.

"Across Michigan, we are moving dirt and fixing the damn roads to grow our economy, helping Michiganders go to work, drop their kids off at school and run errands safely," said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. "By the end of this construction season, we will have fixed, repaired or replaced nearly 24,500 lane miles of roads and 1,900 bridges, supporting thousands of good-paying, local jobs without raising taxes by a dime. This year, let's build on our momentum to pass a bipartisan local road funding plan so we can keep fixing our damn roads and creating good-paying, local jobs."

County:

Kent

Highways:

I-196 and US-131

Closest community:

Grand Rapids

Start date:

Monday, Sept. 22, 2025

Estimated end date:
Late-October 2025

Traffic restrictions:
Lane closures will be in effect on eastbound and westbound I-196 at US-131. The westbound I-196 ramp to southbound US-131 will be closed. Eastbound I-196 will be closed at US-131 over two weekends. Those dates will be announced once scheduled.

Jobs numbers:
Based on economic modeling, this investment is expected to directly and indirectly support 12 jobs.

Safety Benefits:

This project will extend the service lives of the bridges.