What is the purpose of this study?

The purpose of this Environmental Assessment is to enhance the mobility for traffic traveling between eastern Ottawa County and the Grand Rapids metro area via I-196 by developing a safe and efficient transportation improvement to address traffic issues in the vicinity of the existing I-196/Chicago Drive interchange.

Specific Objectives include:

• Improving access from the Jenison area to I-196
• Enhancing traffic operations and safety in the existing I-196/Chicago Drive interchange area
• Providing system improvements to more efficiently connect Jenison and the Grand Rapids metro area
• Relieving congested conditions on I-196 and the connecting surface system caused by growth and development in the area, the Grand River location, and the existing CSX railroad crossing
• Enhancing emergency service access and response times in Georgetown Township

What is the need for this project?

• Existing access points to and from I-196 limit travel options in the Jenison area
• Traffic congestion and EMS service disruption due to the location of railroad crossings and the Grand River
• Geography limits transportation options and has resulted in the current travel and growth patterns

How did we get here?

The I-196 interchange with Chicago Drive (Old M-21) was constructed in the 1970s during the extension of I-196 west from Grand Rapids to Holland. I-196 ultimately connects to I-94 near Benton Harbor and serves as the primary route from Grand Rapids to Chicago.

The I-196/Chicago Drive interchange serves as the main access point from Georgetown Charter Township and the Jenison area, into to the core Grand Rapids metro area. Georgetown Township is one of the largest and fastest growing suburbs in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area and Ottawa County.

The location of the Grand River and the CSX railroad crossings on Main Street and Cottonwood Drive restricts travel options and traffic flow from the I-196/Chicago Drive interchange into the Georgetown/Jenison area. The CSX rail line, which parallels Chicago Drive, has 20 to 30 trains per day. These freeway access limitations cause travel delays and emergency service issues. This situation results in traffic congestion on county roads in the township, the I-196/Chicago Drive interchange, as well as the I-196 freeway. Georgetown Charter Township, the Grand Valley Metro Council, and the Ottawa County Road Commission have supported developing improvements at the I-196/Chicago Drive interchange.

In 1998, MDOT began a process to determine the feasibility of changing freeway access in this area. An interchange report assessing traffic conditions in the area was completed and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in 2000,contingent upon completion of the environmental clearance process. The Environmental Assessment (EA) is part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental clearance process. This EA is the next step in the project development process.  The EA will include developing a recommended alternative at the conclusion of the process. FHWA approval of the EA is required before the improvements can be constructed. Any proposed improvements will be prioritized with other statewide and regional needs, and within available funding resources.