While the City won't see nearly as many road construction projects as we had in 2024, one project coming up quickly will be significant. In cooperation with the City of Walker, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) plans to rebuild and widen Fruit Ridge Avenue from 3 Mile Road to Northridge Drive. The project to replace and redesign the Fruit Ridge Avenue bridge over I-96 in Walker will also include extending the Fruit Ridge Avenue center turn lane north past the railroad tracks, a non-motorized trail along the west side of Fruit Ridge Avenue, and a non-motorized trail along the north side of Three Mile Road to provide a regional link to the City campus and the Fred Meijer Standale Trail. MDOT work will also include a complete realignment of the on and off-ramps for both eastbound and westbound.
The westbound offramp will be moved south, further from the AGO gas station, and realign with a signal where the westbound onramp currently is. Eastbound traffic currently exits before Fruit Ridge and south to Three Mile Road. This configuration has long been challenging for the truck traffic trying to go east on Three Mile Road. The realignment will cause that traffic to exit directly to Fruit Ridge Avenue across from the existing eastbound ramp. That intersection will also have a new traffic signal.
Maintaining traffic throughout the project will be very difficult. The official detour will be east to Walker Avenue. We are asking business owners and travelers in this area to plan extra time. We will all need patience to stay safe and on time in 2025. Funding for the project comes from multiple sources, including the Michigan Legislature, which approved a $25 million grant (Senate Bill 7) to Walker to help fund this critical West Michigan infrastructure upgrade. MDOT has been the lead agency on this vital bridge widening and ramp realignment project. Walker’s local team continues to assist MDOT with the design, communications, and construction administration. We will stay active and hope to answer your questions throughout the project's life. Work is projected to begin in February and last into November.
