*One Lane of S. Burdick Street in Kalamazoo to Close Until Mid-May, City Says*

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — One lane of South Burdick Street in Kalamazoo will be shut down for nearly two months beginning March 30, officials with the City of Kalamazoo announced Thursday.

The northbound lane will be closed between Burr Oak Street and West Vine Street while crews work on sanitary sewer and potable water utilities upgrades along Fellows Avenue, infrastructure the city said has "exceeded its useful life."

Project Timeline and Scope

That portion of South Burdick Street will remain closed until at least the middle of May, according to officials. While access to all homes and businesses in the area will still be available, the city said a detour for drivers as well as a detour for pedestrians will be put in place.

The S. Burdick Street Project is a two-year initiative designed to replace outdated water and sewer infrastructure that has consistently broken due to the age of the pipe.

The City of Kalamazoo is replacing the outdated water main along the corridor of Burdick Street from W. Emerson St to Lovell St. The project will address multiple critical issues including:

  • Water main replacement — The aging water infrastructure has been consistently breaking, forcing repeated repairs and creating unreliable service for residents and businesses
  • Pipe upsizing — The new water main will be increased in size to better meet the growing water demands of the community
  • Lead service replacement — All lead water services connecting homes to the main will be replaced to ensure safe drinking water
  • Sidewalk compliance — The City Streets Department will bring the sidewalk into compliance with current standards
  • Road resurfacing — The entire road will be re-surfaced and re-striping to ensure proper traffic flow

Sewer Infrastructure Improvements

The City Wastewater Department is installing new two-way cleanouts on all sewer laterals and upsizing the main sewer line from Vine Street to Lovell Street to increase capacity to meet the demands of the community.

Two-Phase Construction Schedule

The project construction will be phased over the course of two years with Phase 1 commencing in 2026 and Phase 2 commences in 2027.

| Phase | Location | Timeline |

|-------|----------|----------|

| Phase 1 | W. Emerson St to Vine Street | April 2026-October 2026 |

| Phase 2 | Vine Street to Lovell Street | April 2027 to October 2027 |

Impact on the Community

South Burdick is an important gateway to downtown Kalamazoo, as well as the Edison and Vine Neighborhoods. The street construction is part of how the city maintains its neighborhoods and places where people work, live and play.

The water main along S. Burdick needs to be replaced. Actual construction doesn't start until 2026, but this summer the city is sharing design elements, information on what work will be done, and answering questions from the public.

Why This Matters

The city's announcement highlights the critical need for infrastructure investment in Kalamazoo. Aging water and sewer systems not only create reliability issues but also pose safety concerns for residents and businesses.

The project addresses multiple infrastructure challenges that have been building for years. The outdated water main has been consistently breaking due to the age of the pipe, forcing repeated repairs and creating unreliable service.

Community Resources

The City of Kalamazoo operates the second largest groundwater-based drinking water system in Michigan. The system has been recognized with the Exemplary Source Water Protection Award by the American Water Works Association and has been designated a Groundwater Guardian Community every year since 1998.

The city provides 20 million gallons of water on an average day to nearly 200,000 customers in 11 jurisdictions. The system includes approximately 839 miles of water main and roughly 7,000 hydrants.

Residents who need help with water service or are experiencing any issues related to water quality can call 311 or (269) 337-8000. For emergencies related to water or sewer service, residents should call (269) 337-8148.

Looking Ahead

The S. Burdick Street Construction Project represents a significant investment in Kalamazoo's infrastructure. By addressing the aging water and sewer systems, the city is ensuring reliable service for the present and future growth of the community.

The two-year timeline allows the city to complete the work in phases, minimizing disruption while ensuring thorough repairs. Phase 1 will cover the section from W. Emerson St to Vine Street, while Phase 2 will address the remaining section from Vine Street to Lovell Street.

Sources

  • https://wwmt.com/news/local/burdick-street-lane-closed-may-northbound-detour-kalamazoo-construction-upgrades-traffic-burr-oak-vine-fellows-ave-reopen-wwmt
  • https://www.sburdickstreetproject.com/post/welcome-to-the-s-burdick-street-project
  • https://www.kalamazoocity.org/Residents/Water-Sewer-Service