Manhole failure slows traffic on route to downtown Kalamazoo

May 26, 2023

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Manhole work, some of which was unplanned, has caused traffic delays for people driving to downtown Kalamazoo.

An manhole casting failed in Kalamazoo Township on the M-343 Business Spur (West Main Street) west of downtown, Kalamazoo Public Services Director James Baker said.

City crews are working to remove the cast iron frame and cover and pour a new concrete chimney and new outer concrete ring. The work started at 8 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, and will continue through June 7, Baker said.

Both eastbound and westbound lanes will be reduced to one lane where the work is occurring between West Westwood Drive and East Westwood Drive, Baker said.

That piece of West Main Street is owned and operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation, Baker said.

Further east, at the intersection of Douglas Avenue and West Main Street, more work was happening Monday. There, in the west part of downtown, access from Douglas Avenue to eastbound Main Street was closed and West Main Street had lane closures.

That section should be completed by Friday, June 2, evening, Baker said.

Baker said the same type of work is occurring there, though the work at Douglas and Main was scheduled.

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