This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section lists responses to questions which have been frequently raised throughout the course of the US-31 Freeway Connection to I-94 project.

Question 1:
Why is the Michigan Department of Transportation re-studying this portion of the US-31 freeway?

Answer:
Subsequent to the approval of the 1981 FEIS, the Blue Creek Fen was identified as a unique resource. The previously identified Recommended Alternative consisted of a freeway alignment which traversed the Blue Creek and fen habitat areas. This alternative required new freeway ramps and multiple bridge structures including costly bridge structures associated with the I-196 interchange and the Blue Creek crossing.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is committed to analyzing a range of alternatives in order to evaluate potential opportunities to reduce the construction costs and impacts associated with the previously approved US-31 alignment. A 1998 MDOT Value Engineering Study of the FEIS determined that a re-study of alternatives was necessary.

Question 2:
Will MDOT be looking at other alternatives that will affect the Blue Creek Subdivision?

Answer:
None of the Practical Alternatives presented directly impact the Blue Creek Subdivision. The original 1981 FEIS Alternative passes east of the subdivision while the Practical Alternatives that connect to I-94 near the I-94 BL all pass to the southwest of the subdivision. Although these alternatives may be refined as the study proceeds, no new alternatives that will affect the Blue Creek Subdivision are anticipated.

Question 3:
How will safety along I-94 be addressed in this study considering the close proximity of the I-94 interchanges with the I-94 Business Loop and I-196?

Answer:
Safety along I-94 is a key concern of this study. Traffic studies and forecasts were completed for all of the Practical Alternatives. Traffic analysis demonstrated acceptable traffic opperations for all Build Alternatives. Concrete median barriers along I-94, proposed for all Build Alternatives, will improve safety over the existing 46 ft. wide grass median where crossover accidents presently occur. All freeway alternatives will include auxiliary lanes along I-94 that will allow traffic to move between US-31, I-94 I-94 Business Loop and I-196 without merging with existing I-94 traffic.

Question 4:
Is the purpose of this study to reduce costs?

Answer:
A 1998 Value Engineering Study suggested that a potential savings of approximately $20 million dollars could be realized by avoiding the building of costly bridge structures over Blue Creek. This study seeks to compare alternative alignments to the one approved in the 1981 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and assess the possibility of reductions in costs and environmental impacts, and address construction and maintenance issues. Ultimately MDOT wishes to build the most cost effective alternative that meets the required safety and transportation standards, while minimizing environmental impacts.

Question 5:
Why was the right-of-way (ROW) north of Territorial Road not purchased for the originally planned alignment?

Answer:
The ROW acquisition process for the original 1981 FEIS alignment was halted when the Mitchell's satyr butterfly was identified and the issue of crossing the Blue Creek Fen became a concern.

Question 6:
Why isn't the existing Napier Avenue being considered as a stand-alone alternative?

Answer:
Two alternatives where the US-31 freeway would stop at Napier Avenue and traffic would follow Napier Avenue and then I-94 to reach I-196/US-31 northbound were examined as a part of this study. These include the No-Build Alternative, which involves no new improvements, and Practical Alternative 1 (PA-1), which will include improvements to Napier Avenue interchange ramps.

Question 7:
Are the existing bridges along I-94 between the I-94 Business Loop and I-196 scheduled to be replaced?

Answer:
Most of the bridges along I-94 between the I-94 Business Loop and I-196 are 30 to 40 years old. The conditions of these bridges were analyzed as part of the bridge scoping for this study. The Territorial Road Bridge over I-94 will and the I-196 southbound superstructure will be replaced regardless of the alternative selected. The I-196 northbound superstructure will replaced and the substructure will be widened with all alternatives.

Question 8:
Is Highland Avenue going to be turned into a cul de sac with the western alternatives that tie into the I-94 Business Loop?

Answer:
With each of the Build Alternatives developed Highland Avenue will be closed at some point. Traffic would then use either Territorial Road or East Britain Avenue for east-west movement in the area around Highland Avenue. The Highland Avenue Bridge over I-94 will be removed with the western alternatives that tie into to I-94 Business Loop.

Question 9:
How will traffic get from northbound US-31 to the I-94 Business Loop?

Answer:
It is anticipated that all Practical Alternatives will involve the completion of the I-94/I-94 Business Loop interchange so that traffic can access the Business Loop from eastbound I-94. If either the original 1981 FEIS alternative or the "no-build" alternative is selected, US-31 traffic would use I-94 to access the Business Loop. If an alternative where US-31 would connect with I-94 at the Business Loop is built, then there will be direct access from US-31 to the Business Loop.

Question 10:
What are you going to do east of the I-196 interchange?

Answer:
This study does not include an examination of I-94 east of the I-196 interchange and will not affect areas east of that interchange. MDOT currently has no plans to widen I-94 to the east. The pavement east of I-196 was reconstructed in 1995.

Question 11:
With Practical Alternatives 2 and 3 (PA-2 and PA-3) will the existing I-94 BL roadway and bridge be eliminated?

Answer:
PA-2 and PA-3 both require a certain amount of reconstruction on the I-94 Business Loop with PA-2 requiring the greatest amount. The interchange over I-94 between I-94 and the I-94 Business Loop as well as the I-94 Business Loop bridge structure will be replaced with either of PA-2 or PA-3. This new interchange would allow connections between US-31, I-94 and the I-94 Business Loop in all directions.

Question 12:
What will happen to local roads with each of the proposed Practical Alternatives (e.g. Empire Avenue, Britain Avenue, Highland Avenue, Benton Center Road)?

Answer:
Regardless of the alternative selected, one of the goals of this study is to minimize impacts to local roads. The impacts on specific roads will depend on the alternative selected. If the original FEIS alternative (PA-4) is constructed, impacts are expected on Empire Avenue, Britain Avenue, Highland Avenue, Blue Creek Road and Territorial Road during construction. The original FEIS alternative will result in the permanent closure of through access on Highland Avenue and Blue Creek Road.

The construction of a western alternative connecting to the I-94 Business Loop (PA-2 and PA-3) is expected to disrupt Empire Avenue, Britain Avenue, Highland Avenue and Benton Center Road during construction. Permanent closure of through access on Highland Avenue on both sides of I-94 is expected with each of these alternatives.

Question 13:
What does Preferred Alternative mean? What does Recommended Alternative mean?