100-year-old Martin Luther King Jr. Street bridge to be replaced in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - In partnership with the City of Grand Rapids, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will replace the Martin Luther King Jr. Street bridge from the northbound US-131 ramps to approximately 200 feet east of Buchanan Avenue. This section of the bridge, formerly known as Franklin Street, was originally built in the 1920s to cross the numerous railroad tracks that are still prominent in this area.

County:
Kent

Highway:
US-131

Closest community:
Grand Rapids

Start date:
Monday, March 2, 2026

Estimated end date:
Mid-November 2026

Traffic restrictions: Bridge demolition is weather dependent and currently scheduled for the second week in April. Martin Luther King Jr. Street will be closed over US-131 with traffic detoured via Hall Street, Division Avenue and Century Avenue. The northbound US-131 on and off ramps will be closed while the southbound on and off ramps will remain open. For more information, including additional detours and alternate routes, visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Street project website.

Safety benefit:
This project will replace the original structure to further extend its service life and connect communities for another 100 years.