How can we make Kalamazoo Avenue safer and more comfortable for all users?

On Sunday, October 3, 1965, the Department of State Highways changed Kalamazoo and Michigan Avenues to a set of one-way streets. One-way traffic was predicted to move cars through Downtown Kalamazoo faster, which was the Department of State Highways’ priority. In this, it succeeded. Within a year the State measured speeds at 11 m.p.h. faster than before the conversion and with drivers having to make fewer stops when passing through Downtown. While vehicles moved faster through Downtown, economic vitality and travel to Downtown, especially by foot and bicycle, suffered.

Beginning in 2024/25, Kalamazoo Avenue will be converted back to a two-way street. This project follows decades of discussion, Imagine Kalamazoo’s goal of a Connected City, and transfer of control over streets like Kalamazoo and Michigan Avenues from the State to the City. In preparation, an 18-month design process is underway as of June 2022. The work planned for Kalamazoo Avenue goes beyond the above-ground, street work, to include an update of utilities, some more than 100 years old. Smart traffic signals, transit upgrades, and improvements to pedestrian movements are also planned as part of this project.

Click "Take the Survey" to share your input. More information on this project is available on the Imagine Kalamazoo website at www.imaginekalamazoo.com/projects/kalamazooavenue