LANSING, Mich. — The final stretch of the long-running Michigan Avenue rehabilitation project is now underway — and it’s unfolding directly in front of UM Health Sparrow’s main entrance, leaving many patients and visitors uncertain about how to reach critical medical services.
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While traffic is narrowed to one-lane routes with multiple detours, hospital officials are stressing that care remains fully accessible.
UM Health Sparrow is urging visitors to use alternate entry points via Jerome Street and Eureka Street, noting that all hospital operations, including emergency and specialty services, remain open.
Despite the temporary inconvenience, officials are asking the public to stay patient as crews work to finish the improvements.
For daily commuters like Aisha Bhatti, who regularly rides CATA bus route 1, the route detours have turned routine trips into a challenge.
"It definitely takes a lot longer and is a little frustrating," she says.
Still, when asked how she manages to get around the closures, her response was simple:
"You just have to try to maneuver it."
The rehabilitation work began in April 2024 near US-127 and has now entered its final construction phase, which stretches from UM Health Sparrow’s campus to South Pennsylvania Avenue.
Key areas currently affected include:
Lansing Public Service Director Andy Kilpatrick offered a clear timeline for completion, saying:
“Michigan Avenue will be done by the end of October.”
Once finished, full traffic access will be restored, eliminating the current maze of cones and single-lane bottlenecks.
Though the detours are disrupting daily travel, officials emphasize that the end result will be worth it. Upgraded roadways are expected to improve long-term safety and accessibility around one of Lansing’s most vital corridors.
UM Health Sparrow also issued a statement reassuring the public that no appointments or services are being delayed due to construction.
Originally reported by Asya Lawrence in Fox 47 News
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