MUSKEGON, Mich. — Road work is underway on Muskegon's Lakeshore Drive in the city's Lakeside business district. The project will cost around $6 million, including $2 million for water main work.
When completed this fall, Lakeshore Drive will have new concrete pavement, new street lights, crosswalks, benches and bike racks.
The project is receiving partial funding from the Federal Highway Administration in association with the Michigan Department of Transportation.
The area is nearly one-mile of Lakeshore Drive between McCracken Street and Laketon Avenue. The road serves as the major corridor between downtown and the Lake Michigan beach.
Around 30 businesses in Lakeside will remain open, and many are planning special events and sales to attract customers during the road work.
"We'll do another in a couple of weeks for Mother's Day," said Louise Hopson, Owner of Art Cats Gallery.
Hopson has been watching the work progress right outside her shop's window. "They're getting out here early in the morning and they're here often later in the evening," she said.
During the duration of the project a sing lane of traffic will be open heading west towards Pere Marquette beach.
Hopson says she and other business owners are working hard on social media to remind shoppers everything is open. And that includes the owners of Lakeside's newest business, The Only Cannoli.
"It's a dream come true," said Brittany Meloche. Despite the road work she and her business partner had a better than expected grand opening.
"Let's just stay positive," Meloche said. "So far the construction hasn't slowed anybody down from coming which is great."
"With the new streetscape we're going to look even more like a unique destination," said Hopson.
Two lanes of traffic are expected to open in late July or early August. The entire project won't finish until October.
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