WALKER, Mich. — The long-awaited expansion of the Fruit Ridge Avenue Bridge is set to begin this spring, marking the final phase of a yearslong effort to improve the corridor in northwest Walker. The project, a joint venture between the city of Walker and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), will replace the existing bridge over I-96 and the connected highway interchange.
The Fruit Ridge Avenue Bridge, built in 1961, currently consists of just two lanes—an outdated configuration for a rapidly growing area. With increasing traffic and new developments, including a nearby Amazon facility, the bridge has become a bottleneck during peak travel hours. MDOT spokesman John Richard noted that while the bridge is technically a city road, any local road crossing I-96, US-31, or M-6 falls under the state’s jurisdiction for maintenance and upgrades.
The road on either side of the bridge has already been expanded to five lanes to accommodate the area’s significant growth in recent years. However, the bridge itself has remained narrow. “If you look at the satellite photo, you can see just how skinny the bridge is compared to the wider roads to the north and south,” Richard said. “The growth in the area has been so substantial in the last 10 to 20 years.”
Scott Conners, the city engineer for Walker, echoed Richard’s comments, explaining that the city has been upgrading its road system to keep up with the area’s booming industrial sector. “This is the most expensive part of the upgrades that are necessary,” Conners said.
In January 2023, the Michigan Legislature approved $25 million to fund the replacement of the bridge. The new structure will widen the bridge to five lanes, aligning it with the road on either side. Additionally, pedestrian and cycling lanes will be added to enhance safety for people walking or biking across the bridge. Conners explained that there have been increasing concerns for those attempting to cross the bridge on foot or by bike, particularly during rush hour. “There are even stories of somebody in a wheelchair trying to cross it during rush hour,” he said.
The new lanes will also connect to several regional trail networks, including the Musketawa Trail and Fred Meijer White Pine Trail, offering easier access to the lakeshore and downtown Grand Rapids. Richard emphasized that the expansion will benefit not just motorists but also non-motorized users. “We are all about transportation. Not just for vehicles,” Richard said. “This will be a huge addition to the whole system.”
A public informational meeting about the project is scheduled for Monday, March 3, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Walker City Hall. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the plans and the construction timeline.
As part of the preparations for the bridge replacement, MDOT closed the Walker rest area on I-96 in October. Due to ongoing funding and maintenance issues, the rest area will remain closed indefinitely.
