Lakeshore Drive construction begins April 15; Lakeside open for business during road detour
MUSKEGON, MI – The historic road to Muskegon’s famed Pere Marquette Park and Lake Michigan beaches will undergo reconstruction with a $6.1 million road and utility project this 2019 construction season.
Lakeshore Drive from Laketon Avenue to McCracken Street will be under reconstruction beginning April 15, 2019 withone-way westbound traffic only through late July 2019. After two-way traffic returns to Lakeshore Drive in late July 2019, the entire roadway reconstruction, water and sewer upgrades and new streetscape through the Lakeside Business District will be completed by October 2019.
Those going to the Lakeside Business District, the west end of the city of Muskegon or Pere Marquette Park on Lakeshore Drive know the roadway is in need of major work.
“Lakeshore Drive is a major artery and connector within the city of Muskegon that all of West Michigan uses to get to our renowned beaches,” said Leo Evans, Muskegon director of Public Works. “The city and the contractor will do all in their power during construction to best serve the motorists, residents and businesses who use Lakeshore Drive on a daily basis. At the end of the project, Lakeside, the city and the region will have a superb roadway for decades to come.”
The city of Muskegon has contracted with Jackson-Merkey Contractors Inc. of Muskegon to complete the Lakeshore Drive work. The city and the contractor will be allowing at least one-way westbound traffic on Lakeshore Drive through the entire project.
When needed, eastbound traffic will be rerouted south on Lincoln Street and then to Sherman Boulevard to the east. During the construction, cross streets from the Lakeside Neighborhood should remain open on most all days including the heavily traveled McCracken and Addison streets to the south.
“The businesses and offices of the Lakeside District will be open through the construction project and some will provide discounts and specials to their customers,” said Bill Schneider of the Lakeside Business District and Schneider Risk Management LLC. Access to the Lake Express High-Speed Ferry, Great Lakes Marina, the SS Milwaukee Clipper and the Grand Trunk boat launch will continue through the construction.
“In spite of the construction, parking will be plentiful so we encourage people to visit our unique retail shops, food outlets, pubs, art galleries and recreational opportunities along the Lakeshore Bike Trail,” Schneider said. “For eastbound traffic coming to Lakeside signs will be posted in the neighborhood south of Lakeshore Drive to let people know how to access each business.”
In particular, during construction, Lakeside business and office customers can use the parking lots to the south of Lakeshore Drive behind the business between Mann and Moon streets. The parking lot on the north side of Lakeshore Drive just west of the Great Lakes Marina entrance also will be available for free public parking.
“The businesses and residents of Lakeside look forward to the road and streetscape upgrades and after completion working with the city and our partners to maintain the streetscape improvements such as new benches, bike racks, pedestrian lighting and landscaping along Lakeshore Drive,” Schneider said. “The Lakeshore Drive project comes as Lakeside prepares for the transformational mixed-use waterfront developments anticipated to our west.”
During Lakeshore Drive construction, keep up to date on its progress through the Lakeside District Association Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Lakeside-District-Association-106209049415732/