![\"WKFR](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/512.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe project will be completed over the summer break, permanently closing the intersection before students return in the fall.<\/p>\n
Here’s why officials have made the decision to close the dangerous intersection:<\/p>\n
We Michiganders know that spring is synonymous with construction season. Kalamazoo<\/a> residents can expect to encounter major projects in their travels across town such as:<\/p>\n Alongside these major infrastructure projects, smaller changes across Kalamazoo may be less visible but still impactful. Such as the permanent closure of the Oliver Lane and Oakland Drive intersection near the WMU<\/a> campus.<\/p>\n Read More: WMU’s Free Seed Library Isn’t Just For Students<\/a><\/p>\n According to a press release from Facilities Management at the university, the road closure is slated to start on Thursday, May 7 and construction will begin sometime after commencement ceremonies have finished. The project is expected to be completed prior to fall move-in.<\/p>\n Why did the university\u00a0decide\u00a0to close the intersection for good?<\/p>\n Oliver Lane, Oakland Dr, Kalamazoo<\/p>\n Oliver Lane\/Oakland Drive – Google Maps<\/p>\n Well, if you’ve ever tried to exit onto Oakland Drive via Oliver Lane, you probably had to take a leap of faith. According to officials the motivation for the redesign in safety-focused and will,<\/p>\n [resolve]\u00a0a longstanding safety issue. Insufficient sight distance at this location makes turning from Oliver Lane onto busy south or northbound Oakland difficult and potentially hazardous…Moving forward, those looking to enter East Campus from Oakland Drive should do so from the traffic light at the intersection with Oliver Street.\u00a0— WMU Facilities Management<\/a><\/p>\n The department adds that once the project is finished, Oliver Lane will end at the entrance to Lot 11 (Little Theatre). The extra roadway will then be converted into a green space for all to enjoy.<\/p>\n View\u00a0details for the Oliver Lane project here<\/a> and stay up to date with campus construction projects via the WMU Facilities Management Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n 14 Michigan Universities Top Forbes’ 2026 College RankingsForbes has released its\u00a0list of\u00a0top 500 colleges in America\u00a0for the 2026 school year and we’re proud to share the\u00a014 Michigan schools<\/a>\u00a0making the cut this time around.<\/p>\n Gallery Credit: Lauren Gordon<\/a><\/p>\n