Get Ready For Traffic Changes As I-94 Ramp Closes For Two Months

Drivers in Kalamazoo will be unable to merge onto US-131 from I-94 for at least the next 60 days as the city has officially closed down the ramp for a $13.4 million Michigan Department of Transportation construction project.

They announced a few months back. The busy ramp that connects I-94 to US-131 N. was originally slated to be shut down on Monday, June 22, however, the start was pushed back to Wednesday, June 24.

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Now drivers will be unable to access the on-ramp as construction crews work to add an auxiliary lane to US-131, which begins at the westbound I-94 exit ramp through Stadium Drive at exit 74B.

Drivers who need to access the area from I-94 will be rerouted to Ninth Street at exit 72.

Additionally, only one lane will be open northbound from US-131 from Milam Avenue to Stadium Drive. The extra lane is crucial as during peak driving hours, the congestion will block off up to three lanes on I-94.

This is just one of many projects that I-94 has seen over the last few years, with a large portion of it being blocked off for nearly 2 years, which cut off Portage Road from the highway and led to many businesses struggling in a time when their business was not easily accessible.

As the State of Michigan detailed the project originally, the project created 113 jobs:

The project includes widening ramps and improvements at the I-94/US-131 interchange, as well as improving safety and traffic flow from westbound I-94 to northbound US-131. Drivers can expect single-lane and ramp closures throughout construction with some ramps detoured. Those closures will be announced as the project progresses through several stages.