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Grand Rapids adding pedestrian beacons to two Michigan Street crossings

Grand Rapids adding pedestrian beacons to two Michigan Street crossings

Built World Grand Rapids, MI local

Crossings at Houseman and Grand are part of a 12-location city-wide upgrade; the Michigan Street corridor authority adds up to $75,000 for curb extensions

October 30th, 2026: Report says city is installing 11 beacons citywide; a resident says they have not slowed traffic

Overview

Updated Oct 31

Construction has started on a $75,000 safety project on Michigan Street, which adds flashing pedestrian beacons at Houseman and Grand avenues plus curb extensions that shorten the crossings. The city announced the start of work on Oct. 19 and expects the project to finish in November, around Thanksgiving.

Michigan Street is one of the city's busiest corridors, with hospitals, businesses and Rapid bus stops. The two crossings are part of a 12-location batch funded mostly by federal Highway Safety Improvement Program grants, which cover 90% of construction costs. A Fox 17 report on Oct. 30 says the city is spending about $1.5 million this year on 11 beacons citywide, and one longtime resident says the devices have not slowed drivers near her home.

Why it matters

These signals cover busy crossings near schools and transit stops; a 2010 federal study found pedestrian hybrid beacons cut pedestrian crashes by 69%.

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Key Indicators

2
New pedestrian beacons on Michigan Street at Houseman and Grand
Pedestrian-activated rapid flashing beacon crossings in the 2026-2027 construction batch.
12
Crossing locations in the 2026-2027 batch
Includes the two Michigan Street crossings and ten others near schools, parks, and transit stops.
26
Total crossing upgrades planned for 2025-2027
Fourteen locations from 2025-2026 plus twelve from 2026-2027.
90%
Federal share of construction costs
Highway Safety Improvement Program grants cover 90%; city Vital Streets and Mobile GR cover the rest.

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People Involved

Josh Naramore
Josh Naramore
Mobile GR Director, City of Grand Rapids (2018)
Former Mobile GR director; led the department in 2018 when the city's first Michigan Street beacon was installed. A 2026 city announcement names Jessica Smith as the current Mobile GR director.
 Jessica Smith
Jessica Smith
Mobile GR Director, City of Grand Rapids
Current director as of the city's 2026 Mobility Blueprint announcement

Organizations Involved

City of Grand Rapids
City of Grand Rapids
Municipal government
Managing the pedestrian crossing upgrade program

Planning and funding 26 pedestrian crossing upgrades through its Engineering and Mobile GR departments.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Federal agency
Funds 90% of construction via Highway Safety Improvement Program grants

Administers the Highway Safety Improvement Program that funds Grand Rapids' crossing upgrades.

Timeline

October 2018 October 2026

7 events Latest: October 30th, 2026 · 1 week ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Report says city is installing 11 beacons citywide; a resident says they have not slowed traffic

    Latest Public Reaction

    Fox 17 reports the city is spending about $1.5 million this year on 11 pedestrian safety beacons. A longtime resident says the beacons alone have not slowed drivers near her home.

  2. City announces construction has begun on Michigan Street safety upgrades

    Construction

    The city said the Michigan Street Corridor Improvement Authority's $75,000 project, which expands a grant-funded Mobile GR effort, has started. The city expects completion in November.

  3. Corridor authority commits up to $75,000 to Michigan Street crossings

    Construction

    The Michigan Street Corridor Improvement Authority plans up to $75,000 for curb extensions at the Houseman and Grand crossings; the city expects the beacons running by Thanksgiving.

  4. Construction begins on 12 additional crossings

    Construction

    Work starts on the 2026-2027 batch, including Michigan Street at Grand and Houseman.

  5. City presents 14-location crossing plan publicly

    Public Engagement

    Meeting presentation details the 14 pedestrian crossing locations for 2025-2026.

  6. City notifies residents of 14 planned crossings

    Public Engagement

    Mailers sent to residents within 350 feet of the planned crossing locations.

  7. City installs first Michigan Street pedestrian beacon

    Milestone

    Grand Rapids activates its first pedestrian hybrid beacon on Michigan Street near Baynton Avenue.

Scenarios

1

Michigan Street crossings complete on schedule by end of 2026

Likely Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: City of Grand Rapids project materials; FOX17

Construction on the two Michigan Street beacons finishes by Thanksgiving as the city expects and both signals go live. The city's stated timeline has all 12 locations in the 2026-2027 batch complete by Spring 2027, so this is the base case.

2

Delays push some crossings past Spring 2027

Possible Resolves by May 31, 2027

Discussed by: FOX17; Michigan Complete Streets Coalition

Weather, supply chain, or contractor availability issues delay completion of some 2026-2027 locations beyond the Spring 2027 target. The Michigan Street crossings may still finish on time, but the full program slips. The coalition notes education and enforcement are needed alongside signals to realize safety gains.

3

City announces third phase of crossing upgrades

Uncertain Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: City staff; pedestrian safety advocates

After the 26 planned locations are installed, the city announces additional crossing upgrades, citing demonstrated safety benefits. Federal HSIP grants remain the likely funding source, consistent with the program's structure.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

October 2018

Grand Rapids' first pedestrian hybrid beacon (2018)

The city activated its first pedestrian hybrid beacon on Michigan Street near Baynton Avenue, a $150,000 signal in the Medical Mile corridor. It was installed as foot traffic grew from The Rapid's new Route 19, which offered free rides alongside Spectrum Health hospitals.

Then

It gave the city its first operating pedestrian-activated signal on a busy corridor.

Now

It set the pattern for the 26-crossing program now underway, which uses the same federally approved technology.

Why this matters now

The 2018 pilot showed the technology works on Michigan Street; the current program scales it across the city.

2009

FHWA approves pedestrian hybrid beacons (2009)

The Federal Highway Administration added pedestrian hybrid beacons to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the national standard governing traffic signals. The approval made the devices eligible for federal funding.

Then

Cities gained a federally recognized tool for mid-block crossings.

Now

A 2010 FHWA study of 21 installations found PHBs cut pedestrian crashes by 69% and total crashes by 29%.

Why this matters now

The 2009 approval is why Grand Rapids can use Highway Safety Improvement Program grants to pay for its crossings.

2010

FHWA safety study documents PHB effectiveness (2010)

A federal before-and-after study of 21 pedestrian hybrid beacons found a 69% reduction in pedestrian crashes, a 29% reduction in total crashes, and a 15% reduction in severe crashes.

Then

The data gave states and cities evidence to justify PHB installations.

Now

PHBs became a standard safety tool near schools, parks, and transit stops.

Why this matters now

This evidence base underlies Grand Rapids' decision to spend federal funds on 26 crossings.

Sources

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FOX17 City of Grand Rapids City of Grand Rapids PublicInput WOOD via NFBMI-Talk Michigan Complete Streets Coalition City of Grand Rapids City of Grand Rapids FOX17