Metro Connect to Help Access Businesses Impacted by Construction

Published on July 23, 2024

Free Metro Connect rides are available to help residents access business impacted by major construction projects happening on S Westnedge Ave, Ransom, and Park St.

The businesses include Victorian Bakery, Family Dollar, Little Ceasars, Park Street Market, Mid Town Marketplace, Mid-Town Fresh, Ace Hardware, Oak Street Health, Everside Health, Happy’s Pizza, Paris Cleaners, PNC Bank, and Heilman’s Nuts & Confections. Rides to these establishments are free, and Metro Connect will do the driving for you for your next trip to the grocery store and to run errands.

Metro Connect is an on-demand service that covers all of Kalamazoo County and the VA Hospital in Battle Creek. Everyone in Kalamazoo County is eligible to ride.

Call (269) 350-2970 today to schedule a reservation. Scheduling a reservation is recommended up to seven days in advance and no later than the previous day by 5 p.m. The shuttle service will continue as needed to support residents’ access to basic needs through construction.

This service was established to help residents and customers navigate to businesses in these areas, which are impacted by the Westnedge Ave. utility project and the Ransom utility project. These projects have created closures on Crosstown, Westnedge, N. Park and Ransom within locations that are difficult to access with detours.

“We recognize that this area is especially hard hit during this construction season that is bringing major investments to every one of Kalamazoo’s utilities and street reconstruction all over the city,” said City of Kalamazoo Public Services Director James Baker. “This area and these businesses are at the center of a major utility project to improve water system reliability, so we are hoping that the Metro Connect service will help lessen some of the impact on them and their customers while these critical investments are completed.”

Local access is maintained in all construction areas in the city, and all businesses remain open and accessible. The City of Kalamazoo encourages residents to continue supporting the local businesses that our community depends on, even if it takes a few additional minutes or a short detour to get there. Stores within the Midtown Marketplace can still be accessed by driving Burdick St. to Maple St. to Park St., or via Stadium Dr. or Oakland Dr. to Howard St. to Midtown Marketplace.

Stores including Park Street Market, Victorian Bakery, Little Ceasars and Family Dollar may be accessed via these routes: Westnedge to Willard; North St. to Westnedge to Willard; Rose St. to North St. to Westnedge to Willard; Rose to Harkins Ct. to Church to Willard; Kalamazoo Ave. to Church to Willard; and starting on August 6, Kalamazoo Ave. to Park Street.

Metro Connect is operated by Metro and supported by the City of Kalamazoo.