Kinney Avenue between Lake Michigan Drive and Leonard Street will be getting a makeover in 2024. This rural two-lane section of roadway is not so rural anymore. The section of Kinney is almost entirely developed and serves a very important role in our transportation system as one of the primary north/south connectors. This spring, work begins to widen the roadway and provide a center turn lane. This corridor has a lot of residential driveways and side streets. The center turn lane should help drivers making left turns and allow through traffic to continue. The enhancement will also remove the ditches in favor of storm sewer. The new roadway section will look just like the portion of Kinney Avenue from Three Mile Road to Remembrance Road.
Access will be tough for the homeowners who rely on this section of Kinney Avenue. We will be maintaining local traffic, but there may be some delays as crews work to install and upgrade underground utilities. If you frequent this corridor, we kindly ask that you begin looking for an alternate route. If you live along Kinney, or on one of the side streets that is only accessible from Kinney, you are considered “local traffic” and are allowed within the project limits. Please remember to go slow and allow for extra time. By the end of the year, there will be a new road with storm sewer and sidewalks on both sides of the street!
Preparations for this project will begin as early as Monday, February 12. Crews are expected to start tree work around 7 a.m. on Kinney Ave. between Lake Michigan Dr. and Leonard St. Vehicle traffic will be maintained in both directions via a flagging operation, but expect minor delays at times. This work is expected to last approximately two weeks.
An open house is scheduled for February 20 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of Fire Station 2, located at 4101 Lake Michigan Dr. Engineers and Walker City staff will be there to discuss the project and answer any questions. There will not be a formal presentation, but it will be an opportunity for residents to connect one-on-one with engineers to learn more about the impacts and outcomes of this project.