GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Changes are coming to an oftentimes confusing and frustrating section of Leonard Street NW.
The city of Grand Rapids released plans Tuesday to reconfigure Leonard Street NW under US-131.
Currently, two lanes of traffic turn left off of Scribner Avenue NW onto Leonard Street NW. Leonard has three lanes: a left turn lane onto Turner Avenue NW, a middle through lane and a third lane on the right side that ends abruptly at Turner. Often drivers get stuck in the third lane because it doesn’t lead to anywhere.
Starting the week of Feb. 20, there will be a new configuration in place: one lane from Scribner will allow for left hand turns onto Leonard. On Leonard Street NW, the left and center lanes will serve as left turn lanes onto Turner Avenue NW and the far right lane will become the through lane, taking drivers under the bridge. The city says it’s making the changes to improve safety.
Approximately 32,000 vehicles pass through each of the affected intersections each day, according to Grand Rapids Traffic Safety Manager Chris Zull.