Road Closures Begin Across Lansing and Mid-Michigan as Gas Prices Fall and Campaign Season Closes

LANSING, Mich. (WILS) — Monday brings a fresh wave of construction projects across Mid-Michigan, with traffic impacts already underway in the Lansing area.

On Saginaw Street, drivers will see two major projects starting today:

• A sewer separation project has reduced traffic to a single lane between Chestnut Street and Grand Avenue.

• At the same time, a Board of Water & Light (BWL) project has closed all but two lanes between Grand Avenue and Larch Street.

Both projects are expected to continue through late November.

In addition, the I-96 eastbound exit ramp to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is now closed for a stage change, with the ramp expected to reopen in late September.

Temporary lane closures are also in effect today on I-96 eastbound between Wacousta Road and Grand River Avenue for maintenance, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In Jackson County, drivers on US-127 will encounter single-lane closures in both directions around the I-94 interchange. That work runs through Friday.

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Lower Gas Prices Across Michigan

Amid the traffic troubles, there’s good news for drivers: gas prices have dropped.

As of Sunday, AAA Michigan reports Lansing area gas prices averaging $3.04 per gallon, a 17-cent drop compared to last week. The statewide average is now $3.13, down 9 cents. More updates are expected later today from AAA Michigan spokesperson Adrienne Woodland.

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Air Quality Alert Extended Again

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has once again extended its air quality advisory for Mid-Michigan, now in effect through early Tuesday morning. The warning comes amid continued Canadian wildfire smoke, which is pushing pollutant levels into the unhealthy range for sensitive groups.

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Election Day in Lansing and Meridian Township

Today marks the final day of campaigning for Lansing’s mayoral and City Council primary candidates ahead of Tuesday’s August primary election.

Lansing voters will also decide the fate of a Parks Millage proposal. Meanwhile, Meridian Township voters will weigh in on ballot proposals tied to a millage and bond for a new community and senior center.

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Lawsuit Filed Over Wrongful Detention of Lansing Teen

A 14-year-old Lansing boy and his parents have filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Lansing, former police chief Ellery Sospi, and two officers. The lawsuit stems from an August 2023 incident where the teen, Tayshaun Bernard, was allegedly wrongfully detained in the search for a car theft suspect. The suit accuses the city of false arrest and excessive force.

While Mayor Andy Schor and former Chief Sospi issued apologies days after the incident, city officials have not commented on the newly filed lawsuit.

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Home Invasion Suspect Arrested in Meridian Township

Meridian Township police arrested a suspect over the weekend following two home invasions late Friday night.

Officers initially attempted to stop the suspect — who was on a bicycle — near Grand River Avenue and Okemos Road, but the individual fled on foot. Police say the home invasions occurred on Grand View Avenue and Seminole Drive, where the suspect was ultimately captured.