Site work and paving for a road / highway in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Conceptual plans call civil work for a road / highway.

The purpose of the redevelopment project is to set in motion improvements that will move existing elevated Wealthy Street to at-grade under an elevated US-131, in order to improve connectivity to the City and access to recreational facilities. The project site is within the city limits of Grand Rapids and the County and the City wish to collaborate on project management. As a result, the City will serve as the grantee and will be responsible for managing the project. The relocation of Wealthy Street is expected to improve traffic operations and safety and reduce congestion and delays. It is expected to improve pedestrian circulation, emergency service and first responder operations, maintenance activities, transit operations near The Rapid-Central Station, and support economic development and redevelopment in Grand Rapids. The project will improve access to Millennium Park and John Ball Park Zoo from US-131. Both facilities are located due west of the interchange. On May 10, 2022, the Grand Rapids City Commission drafted a resolution accepting a grant award of $10M from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. It will fund completion of the necessary National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental review, advance right-of-way acquisition and utilities relocation, and preliminary engineering and design. Outcomes include selection of a preferred option, achieving federal clearance for the project, and preparation of design plans, costs estimates and phasing options that will make the project ready for bidding. This work is expected to take approximately five years. The grant’s period of performance is October 2021 through December 2027. No local match is required.