Pathway Extension Connects Lansing and East Lansing

via Lansing State Journal

A new roundabout and other changes, including a walking path extension, are coming to southeast Lansing.

Construction could begin in May or April with completion set for fall of this year.

The changes are intended to accommodate increased traffic as a result of a new McLaren Greater Lansing hospital complex, Lansing Public Service Director Andy Kilpatrick said. 

McLaren plans to close two hospitals, one at 401 W. Greenlawn Ave. and the other at 2727 S. Pennsylvania Ave, when the 240-bed complex opens just east of U.S. 127 by late 2021 or early 2022.

Lansing's $3.6 million road project involves widening Forest Road to add a center turn lane. And the city will add a roundabout to the intersection of Forest and Collins roads.

The roundabout is intended to guard against crashes by encouraging people to drive slower. And it will prevent cars from getting T-boned at an intersection, since vehicles will less likely to collide at perpendicular angles, officials said.

"The probability of crashes is lower and the severity of crashes is lower," Kilpatrick said.

In conjunction with the road project, the city will be adding an asphalt path, about 10 feet wide, for walking and biking along Forest and Harrison Roads, near key landmarks including the new McLaren Greater Lansing hospital, the Forest Akers Golf Course and the University Club of Michigan State University.

Eventually, the path will connect to the river trail, which is being extended as part of a separate project from Cavanaugh Road to Forest. That trail extension should be complete by this fall.

“What this will do is complete some gaps that we currently have," Kilpatrick said, referring to pedestrian and bike access.

Painted bike lanes will be added south of the roundabout along Collins Road until Jolly Road.

Lansing plans to cut down 67 trees to make way for the bike path and road project. The majority of the trees, approximately 55 of them, will be replaced, Kilpatrick said.

City Council voted last month to approve easements necessary for the changes. Lansing will bankroll the project with approximately $1.7 in federal funding, $1.6 million in state funding and $330,000 in city money.

Lansing plans to update its website in coming months with additional information about the project and any road restrictions and closures.