Ann Arbor restarts work on Fifth/Division streetscape

Construction is restarting this week on the streetscapes of Fifth Avenue and Division Street in downtown Ann Arbor.The $6 million project, partly funded by a $1 million state grant, will reshape the thoroughfares between Packard Street and the Broadway Bridge so they are friendlier to all kinds of transportation, including pedestrians and bicyclists.Construction began last year, significantly improving the intersection of Packard and Division in front of Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger.”It has completely changed that intersection,” says Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.The city will install bike lanes on both streets and add about 100 new parking spaces along the road. There will be bump outs at the intersections to shield pedestrians on the sidewalks. The city will also repair brick streets in Kerrytown, add bike rack hoops and replace trees where necessary. LED lights will be installed in the streetlights, too.Work is expected to wrap up this fall before the end of this year’s construction season.Source: Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development AuthorityWriter: Jon Zemke