October 13, 2004 -- A Record of Decision has been issued on the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for the proposed US-31 freeway connection to I-94. Practical Alternative 2 (PA-2) - approved as the recommended alternative - was the Preferred Alternative identified in the Draft Supplemental Impact Statement and discussed at the Oct. 30, 2002 public hearing.
"PA-2 best meets the purpose and need for the project when compared to all of the Practical Alternatives," said Southwest Region Engineer Bobbi Welke. "It provides a free-flow link between the US-31 and I-94 freeways while substantially reducing environmental impacts and costs compared to those of the original 1981 approved alignment."
The Record of Decision completes the environmental clearance process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for this type of project. It clears the way for design and real estate acquisition, although some parcels are in the process of being acquired through advance acquisition.
Copies of the Record of Decision are available for public review at the following locations: Benton Charter Township Hall, 1725 Territorial Road, Benton Harbor; Lake Michigan College's William Hessel Library, 2755 East Napier Ave., Benton Harbor; Berrien County Road Commission Office, 2860 East Napier Ave., Benton Harbor; Southwestern Michigan Commission Office, 185 E. Main St., Ste. 701, Benton Harbor; MDOT's Coloma Transportation Service Center, 3880 Red Arrow Hwy., Benton Harbor; MDOT's Southwest Region Office, 1501 Kilgore Rd., Kalamazoo; and MDOT Project Planning Division, 425 W. Ottawa, Third Floor, Lansing.
The Record of Decision can be viewed on the Web at: www.michigan.gov/mdotstudies.
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