PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — After a series of deadly crashes dating back to the mid-1960s, a dangerous hill on Jericho Avenue in Plainfield Township is set for a major regrade this summer. The Kent County Road Commission announced that the project aims to improve sight lines and reduce the unsafe driving behaviors that have plagued the stretch of road between Kroes Street and 10 Mile Road.
The steep incline on Jericho Avenue has long been a hotspot for reckless driving, particularly among thrill-seekers attempting to “catch air” at the peak of the hill. The upcoming reconstruction will lower the hill’s elevation by approximately 12 to 15 feet over a 900-foot stretch, extending the flat area at the top to create better sight distances and a smoother ride for drivers. The plan is expected to reduce the risk of high-speed accidents that have become too common in the area.
“This isn’t about the road being unsafe in its current state, but about discouraging unsafe behaviors,” said Jerry Byrne, director of maintenance at the Kent County Road Commission. “There’s been a 50-year history of people coming here to make bad driving decisions. The thrill of catching air is a dangerous temptation that we hope to eliminate with these changes.”
The $500,000 project will require the removal of over a hundred trees spread across roughly two acres of land, primarily on the east side of Jericho Avenue. Much of the tree removal will occur between Ella Terrace Drive and Peter Creek Drive, areas that will be impacted by the roadwork. Fortunately for the project, a nearby property owner has agreed to cooperate, despite the fact that the tree removal will affect their land.
Byrne noted that the project will only impact one property, which was recently sold. The new owners have agreed to make room for the project, prioritizing safety over the preservation of trees in an area that has historically attracted drivers looking for an adrenaline rush. This includes young, inexperienced drivers from nearby Rockford High School, where many teens are known to frequent the area.
The decision to regrade Jericho Avenue comes after an investigation by Target 8, which revealed that five fatal crashes had occurred on or near the hill since 1966, leading to the deaths of six individuals, including four teens. The most recent tragedy occurred in November 2023, when 18-year-old Navaeh Downs was killed while attempting to jump the hill with a friend. The driver, who was traveling at speeds exceeding 100 mph, lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The driver was later sentenced to jail time for a misdemeanor driving violation.
Downs’ mother, while deeply affected by the loss of her daughter, expressed support for the road improvements. “We can’t change the past, but at least they’re trying to make it safer for the future,” she said in an interview with Target 8.
In addition to the fatal crashes, there have been at least four nonfatal accidents on the hill since 2004, including one in 2022 that resulted in serious injuries. The current grade of the hill is approximately 14.4%, but crews plan to reduce it to 10.4%, according to county documents.
Byrne pointed out that while Jericho Avenue is not the steepest road in Kent County, its short transition at the peak makes it particularly prone to the kind of risky driving that leads to accidents. He emphasized that the road is safe for responsible drivers, and the changes are aimed at addressing the dangerous behaviors of a small minority.
“The road’s natural features, such as the hills and tree-lined roadsides, act as traffic calming measures for prudent drivers,” Byrne said. “However, factors like excessive speed and impaired driving, which are beyond our control, have contributed to these tragic crashes.”
The road commission had proposed modifications to Jericho Avenue back in the 1970s, but the plan was blocked at the time by local residents who succeeded in having the road designated as a “natural beauty road.” This designation was removed in 2016, allowing for the planned road improvements.
Tree removal for the project is set to begin later this week, with intermittent road closures expected for up to two weeks. Construction on the hill will begin this summer, once Rockford High School is on break. The project is expected to take a couple of months to complete.
With the changes, local authorities hope to reduce the number of dangerous accidents on Jericho Avenue, and ultimately make the road safer for all drivers.
