EAST LANSING, Mich. — Beginning Monday, March 25, a water main replacement project related to the Center City District redevelopment project will be taking place in the alley located behind the Grand River Avenue businesses between Abbot Road and M.A.C. Avenue. The work will occur in two phases, with the western half taking place first and the eastern half taking place second.
The work will entail replacement of an old water main and new connections to businesses.
Work on the west end of the alley is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 25. In order to ensure safety during the work, it is necessary to close the west side of the alley (from Urban Outfitters to Abbot Road) as well as both lanes of northbound Abbot Road, between Grand River Avenue and Albert Avenue, for approximately two weeks. Eastbound and westbound Grand River Avenue traffic heading into downtown East Lansing will be detoured via M.A.C. Avenue. Once the main is replaced and work transitions to alley restoration (approximately April 8), one northbound lane on Abbot Road will re-open to traffic. The remaining alley and lane closure will be in place for approximately four additional weeks as phase one is completed. View a detour map for motorists and pedestrians here: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/ffc435_faa96b3e6e344b34bffd963113554a04.pdf.
East Lansing Department of Public Works staff will be on site throughout the project and pedestrian access to businesses will be maintained at all times during business hours. City staff has visited businesses affected by the closure to coordinate access, trash and other issues.
Work on the east end of the alley, from Lou and Harry's to M.A.C. Avenue, will take place during the second phase of work, which is expected to begin near the end of May. Staff is working with the contractor to finalize the details and will provide information to the adjacent businesses and the public when it is available.
Community members are reminded that they can sign up for downtown East Lansing construction alerts by texting ELBUZZ to 38470. Community members can also visit www.EastLansingBuzz.org to find the latest information about construction in the downtown.