<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0vSEx0_1FbpODb600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0vSEx0_1FbpODb600" width="640" height="360" ></figure><ul><li>Major construction projects, including a pedestrian tunnel under Northland Drive and bridge maintenance on US-131, have caused significant traffic disruptions in the Rockford area.</li></ul>It's hard not to notice the traffic around Northland Drive near Rockford since much of it has rerouted."Oh yeah. Twenty years we've lived in the neighborhood right down the road here," said James Van Den Huevel. "The traffic pattern has definitely changed, you know, in the past couple days."It's all due to a major construction project for a pedestrian tunnel under Northland Drive-- which closed down a section of that road, sending traffic to other nearby streets.Some drivers seemed to struggle to figure out where they needed to go amid the detours.One couple even asked the 13 ON YOUR SIDE crew for directions.While some people are forced to take a new route, others may have wished they had.On top of a light replacement project closing lanes and exit ramps on US-131, a bridge maintenance project closed two southbound lanes Saturday between Ann Street and Bridge Street-- and backed up traffic for miles."That really backed up and even backed up on eastbound I-96 as those folks were trying to hit southbound 131," said MDOT communications representative John Richard. "Plus, [there was] a crash at [6 Mile Road] southbound, there was a crash at 96 and 131-- So that really snagged things up this morning for the commute."Richard said things may ease up as commuters get used to the closures."That first day is always the worst," Richard said. "But yeah, there are many, many different ways that that folks can take. Sometimes you can't take an alternate route based on where you're going. So, if you can stagger your time to avoid the morning and afternoon rushes, those are my those are the biggest two things."Meanwhile, back in the Rockford area, neighbors like Van Den Huevel and Ben Arendt chose to stay positive in spite of the construction-- the noise and the closures-- and concern for pedestrians.Arendt said, "I think there's a difference in traffic, but I think that that's kind of happened organically over the last few years. A lot of new homes are being developed. We've got a new development across the Beltline over there, new homes coming up here. I just think it's a more attractive place to be, and I think people are investing in this area. It's fantastic."The pedestrian tunnel and the US-131 bridge projects are slated to wrap up on Oct. 5 and Oct. 12, respectively.You can stay up to date on M-DOT road closures and projects using their MI Drive page.</div></body>

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Major construction projects, including a pedestrian tunnel under Northland Drive and bridge maintenance on US-131, have caused significant traffic disruptions in the Rockford area. It's hard not to notice the traffic around Northland Drive near Rockford since much of it has rerouted. "Oh yeah. Twenty years we've lived in the...

Multiple construction projects create commuter headaches in Kent County

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Major construction projects, including a pedestrian tunnel under Northland Drive and bridge maintenance on US-131, have caused significant traffic disrupti

Multiple construction projects create commuter headaches in Kent County

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