Lansing Detour Turns My Morning Commute Into a Deer Standoff
Since Aurelius Road in Lansing closed between Miller Road and Jolly Road, my morning detour has taken me down College Road, which ought to be renamed Deer Crossing and Loitering Road. I've seen enough deer there to suspect somebody's offering them free breakfast.
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Deer crossing the road anywhere in Michigan is one thing. But for crying out loud, what do deer find so appealing about the middle of it? This morning, three stood motionless on the double yellow line as my headlights and a couple tons of Silverado approached. They stared at me as if to ask, ‘We holdin' you up?"
Why I'm Ready for Aurelius Road to Reopen
Lansing closed Aurelius Road at Pawlowski Creek on August 31, 2026, for a bridge replacement. The city expects it to reopen around late October. I know the bridge needs work. I just hadn't planned on my alternate route becoming a standoff with Michigan wildlife.
The concern is real. Michigan recorded 58,271 deer-involved crashes in 2025 (see how many were in your county in the gallery below). The Michigan State Police (MSP) says that if you see one deer, more may be nearby. Great. Even after the one in my headlights finishes its meeting, I still have to watch for its late-arriving coworkers.
College Road Can Keep the Deer
At first, I missed Aurelius because it was quicker. Now I miss driving to work without wondering whether the next set of eyes belongs to a deer preparing to hold up traffic for reasons only known to deer.
RELATED: Michigan Ranks 9th for Animal-Related Deaths in New Study
Lansing, I hope that bridge work stays on schedule. I'm ready to give College Road back to its most stubborn pedestrians.
Michigan's 2025 Car - Deer Accidents: Crashes Per County
Gallery Credit: Scott Clow