OTTAWA COUNTY — Ottawa County residents are facing significant road construction as the county progresses with a series of infrastructure projects.

The Ottawa County Road Commission has outlined an extensive agenda for the coming months, encompassing resurfacing work and critical bridge replacements.

Although intended to provide long-term benefits to the county’s transportation network, these projects will necessitate temporary disruptions to daily routines. Motorists will need to navigate closures and lane shifts across various municipalities, according to the Ottawa County Five Year Transportation Plan.

Read More: Road work ahead: Grand Haven sets street paving schedule

Simultaneously, the long-term vision for regional connectivity continues with the M-231 Bypass Project in the conceptual phase. The completion of Phase I, linking major arteries, and the county's land acquisition for a future interchange are part of this planning. This combination of immediate projects and long-term planning reflects the county’s efforts to maintain and enhance its infrastructure.

Current road closures affecting commutes

Several road closures are currently in effect throughout Ottawa County, impacting daily commutes and requiring motorists to use alternative routes. These closures, primarily managed by the Ottawa County Road Commission, are necessary for infrastructure work, including bridge and culvert replacements, as well as utility upgrades.

Chester Township: 32nd Avenue, north of Truman Street, is closed between Truman Street and Sherman Street for a bridge replacement over the North Branch of Crockery Creek. This OCRC project began on April 28 and is expected to continue until July 31. Detour maps are available.

Blendon Township: Port Sheldon Street, from 96th Avenue to 72nd Avenue, has lane closures for a resurfacing project managed by the OCRC. This work commenced on April 21 and is tentatively scheduled to conclude on May 9. The road remains open to through traffic.

Wright Township: Hayes Street, between 16th Avenue and Ironwood Drive, is completely closed for a bridge replacement over Sand Creek. This OCRC project started on March 17 and is anticipated to last until Aug. 4. Detour routes have been established.

Holland Township: River Hills Drive, from Douglas Avenue to south of Scotts Drive, is closed due to permitted sewer main work. This closure, which began on March 17, is expected to continue until May 31.

Zeeland Township: 56th Avenue, north of Perry Street, experienced a brief closure for culvert replacement; work wrapped up April 18.

Allendale Township: 72nd Avenue, from Pierce Street to Fillmore Street, experienced a short closure from April 21 to April 23 for culvert replacement.

Polkton Township: 72nd Avenue, from State Road to Cleveland Street, has been closed since March 31 for a sanitary crossing, with the permitted closure expected to last until May 23.

Major road construction projects underway

Beyond the immediate closures, Ottawa County is undertaking significant road construction projects aimed at improving the road network. These projects involve more extensive work, such as milling and resurfacing, and in some cases, the addition of paved shoulders.

Blendon Township: Port Sheldon Street, from 96th Avenue to 72nd Avenue, is undergoing milling and resurfacing, anticipated to last until May 9.

Crockery and Polkton townships: Leonard Street, between 112th Avenue and 88th Avenue, is scheduled for resurfacing, including the addition of paved shoulders.

Grand Haven Township: Lincoln Street, from U.S. 31 to 144th Avenue, is planned for a mill and resurface project.

Holland Township: Riley Street, from 112th Avenue to 96th Avenue, is slated for a mill and resurface project.

Olive Township: Port Sheldon Street, from 120th Avenue to 96th Avenue, will undergo similar improvements.

Tallmadge Township: Linden/Luce/Fennessey Streets, from M-45 to Kenowa Avenue, are scheduled for resurfacing, along with the addition of paved shoulders.
Wright Township: Eighth Avenue/Hayes Street, from Garfield Street to the County Line, will have a mill and resurface project.

Grand Haven Township: Ferris Street, from U.S. 31 to 152nd Avenue, will undergo milling and resurfacing.

Park Township: 152nd Avenue, from Lakewood Boulevard to New Holland Street, is seeing milling, resurfacing, and the addition of paved shoulders.

Port Sheldon Township: 152nd Avenue, from New Holland Street to Port Sheldon Street, will also have milling, resurfacing, and paved shoulders.

Bridge, culvert improvements in progress

Ongoing projects focused on improving bridges and culverts are underway in Ottawa County. These structures are important for traffic flow and preventing road damage from water runoff.

Significant bridge replacement projects are currently underway on 32nd Avenue in Chester Township and Hayes Street in Wright Township. The project on 32nd Avenue over the North Branch of Crockery Creek is expected to conclude by the end of July, while the Hayes Street bridge over Sand Creek is anticipated to be completed in early August.

In Park Township, the bridge on South Shore Drive at the Montello Park Drain is also slated for replacement, funded by the Countywide Road Millage. The existing structure will be replaced with a box culvert.

Several large culvert projects are also taking place across various townships, including locations on Eighth Avenue in Chester Township, Mason Street in Jamestown Township, 112th Avenue in Olive Township, 120th Avenue in Robinson Township, 8th Avenue in Tallmadge Township, multiple locations on Arthur Street in Wright Township, and on 96th Avenue in Zeeland Township.

Millage funds supporting local road work

Crockery and Polkton Townships: Leonard Street resurfacing with paved shoulders.

• Grand Haven Township: Ferris Street mill and resurface project.
• Olive Township: Port Sheldon Street mill and resurface work.
• Park and Port Sheldon townships: 152nd Avenue improvements, including resurfacing and paved shoulders.
• Park Township: Replacement of the bridge on South Shore Drive.

Coordination with state, local entities

Road construction efforts in Ottawa County involve coordination between the Ottawa County Road Commission and other governmental entities, including the Michigan Department of Transportation and local municipalities.

MDOT is currently undertaking a project to reconstruct I-196 within Ottawa County, investing $66 million to rebuild a seven-mile stretch. This project includes culvert replacements, sewer and drainage improvements, and bridge work, requiring coordination with the OCRC.

Future roadwork plans

The current construction season is part of Ottawa County's ongoing infrastructure maintenance. Future projects are planned to further improve the county's road network.

The OCRC has budgeted for resurfacing work on primary and local roads, including more than $9.8 million in improvements on 16.7 miles of primary roads and over $4.9 million in improvements on 8.4 miles of local roads.

The planned resurfacing mileage and bridge and culvert projects indicate continued efforts to maintain and improve Ottawa County's road infrastructure.

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Impact on residents, businesses

The extensive road construction underway in Ottawa County will impact residents and businesses. While these projects are intended to provide long-term benefits, short-term disruptions are anticipated.

Residents can expect temporary delays in commutes due to road closures and lane restrictions, as well as increased traffic on alternative routes. Businesses near construction zones may experience temporary inconvenience for customers and deliveries. The early start to some projects aims to minimize the overall duration of these inconveniences.

Lists of planned "Primary Road Improvements," "Local Road Improvements," "Bridge Improvements," and "Large Culvert Projects" are available on the OCRC website.

— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.