In accordance with federal and state laws, and as required for federal aid funding, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is undertaking a planning effort to identify and study potential US-131 improvements between the Indiana State Toll Road in Elkhart County, Indiana and approximately one mile north of Lovers Lane in St.Joseph County, Michigan. Careful consideration has been given throughout the process to developing alternatives which minimize impacts while maximizing benefits to the region and the traveling public. This study has also provided ample opportunities for public and agency input and comments at each step during the project's development. The end product of this study will be an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. This document will recommend a future course of action for improving travel between the Indiana Toll Road and Three Rivers, including in and around the Village of Constantine and the City of Three Rivers .

The US-131 Planning Team has analyzed a large number of potential transportation improvements within the identified study corridor. Alternatives assessed included but were not limited to taking no action; improving existing US-131; and potential off-alignment alternatives as warranted by traffic, safety and environmental factors. The Planning Team evaluated a variety of different types and locations of facility improvements. The five remaining build Practical Alternatives include two or more lanes on existing or new alignments, a boulevard/divided highway, and a limited access facility (i.e. freeway).  The following are brief descriptions of the each alternatives :

Practical Alternative 1 (PA-1) (freeway) begins at the existing four-lane section of US-131 at the entrance ramp to the Indiana Toll Road, where it widens to a five-lane roadway, and follows existing US-131 north to Brown/Dickinson Road.  North of Brown/Dickinson Road, the roadway transitions from the 5-lane section to a 4-lane limited-access freeway, and leaves the existing US-131 alignment, curving to the northwest in order to bypass the Village of Constantine.  North of Millers Mill Road, PA-1 curves to the east connecting with existing US-131 and continues north along the existing US-131 alignment to Drummond Road.  PA-1 continues north at Drummond Road and connects with M-60 approximately one-half mile west of the existing interchange.  At Broadway Road PA-1 turns east and meets the existing US-131 alignment near Coon Hollow Road where it transitions from a rural to an urban freeway facility.  After crossing the Rocky River, PA-1 transitions back to a rural freeway and curves north, then west near Cowling Road, joining existing US-131 at the northern project terminus .

Practical Alternative 2 (PA-2) (freeway) follows the same alignment as PA-1 up to Drummond Road, north of the Village of Constantine, except that it transitions from a 5-lane roadway to a 4-lane limited access freeway north of Anderson Road.  PA-2 then continues along the existing US-131 alignment to the north terminus of the project one mile north of Cowling Road.  North of Millard Road, PA-2 transitions from a rural to an urban freeway facility (a longer urban section than proposed for PA-1, PA-3, and PA-4) and is proposed to be depressed approximately 20 feet below existing US-131.  This depression allows existing local roads to cross US-131 without being raised, and allows service drives to be located directly in front of businesses currently fronting on US-131.  After crossing the Rocky River, PA-2 transitions back to a rural freeway until it connects with existing US-131 one mile north of Cowling Road .

Practical Alternative 3 (PA-3) (freeway) begins as a 5-lane roadway as described above for PA-1, at the Indiana Toll Road and follows existing US-131 northeast to Anderson Road.  At Anderson Road PA-3 transitions from a 5-lane roadway to a 4-lane limited access freeway, heading north to parallel existing US-131 approximately one-half mile to the west.  North of Brown/Dickinson Road, PA-3 curves west, meeting the PA-1 and 2 alignment.  PA-3 continues along the PA-1 alignment to the northern project terminus .

Practical Alternative 4 (PA-4) (freeway) follows the same alignment with the same roadway typical sections as PA-3 from the Indiana Toll Road north to Brown/Dickinson Road.  At Brown/Dickinson Road PA-4 heads northwest to bypass the Village of Constantine approximately one-half mile west of the Village limits.  At North River Road PA-4 curves northeast, then heads north between Zerbe and Garber Roads.  North of Drummond Road PA-4 turns northeast and runs parallel to existing US-131 to the west. At Gleason Road, PA-4 heads north to intersect M-60 just east of the PA-1/M-60 proposed interchange location.  North of Broadway Road PA-4 joins the PA-1/PA-3 alignment extending to the north project limits .

Practical Alternative 5 (PA-5) (non-freeway) the same alignment as PA-1 but with a two-lane section from the Indiana Toll Road north to Brown/Dickinson Road.  At Brown/Dickinson Road PA-5 follows the northbound alignment of PA-1, and heads northeast to bypass the Village of Constantine up to Drummond Road.   PA-5 continues along the existing US-131 alignment to Garber Road, where truck climbing lanes are located from north of Garber Road to south the intersection of US-131 & M-60.  PA-5 then continues to the north terminus of the project one mile north of Lovers Lane.  PA-5 will maintain and improve major existing intersections along existing US-131, as well as establish new intersection along the bypass around the Village of Constantine at Riverside Drive, North River Drive, Quarterline Road, Millers Mill Road and Zerbe Road .

Practical Alternative 5 Modified (PA‑5 MOD) (non-freeway) and PA‑5 are the same except at the north end of the Village of Constantine bypass, between North River Road and Garber Road .  At North River Road , PA‑5 MOD curves northeast, merging with existing US‑131 at Youngs Prairie Road .  A new four‑legged signalized intersection is proposed where US‑131 connects with the existing US‑131 alignment.  From this point north, PA‑5 MOD remains as a two‑lane section and utilizes the existing US‑131 alignment to Garber Road . North of Garber Road to the study limits, PA‑5 MOD is the same alternative as PA‑5.   Stears Road and King Road are not proposed to be carried across PA-5 MOD.  Access is proposed to be maintained to all other crossroads

We are now at the Public Hearing stage of the project.  The Public Hearing is held to solicit input from the public regarding the final Practical Alternatives in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

The following summary provides further information on the activities which are included as part of the US-131 Improvement Study :

• Data Collection and Preliminary Regional Analysis: The Planning Team coordinated with local agencies and collect available data to be used as a baseline for the US-131 Improvement Study.
• Early Coordination: The Planning Team notified applicable local, state and federal agencies that the study is underway and identify potential concerns within the region.
• Preliminary Concepts (Illustrative Alternatives): The Planning Team developed early alternative transportation improvement concepts for evaluation. Proposed concepts range from the no-build scenario to improving existing US-131 and developing new alignments outside of the existing right-of-way where appropriate.
• Public Informational Meetings: The Planning Team conducted meetings to receive input and share new developments throughout the different stages of the study.
• Preliminary Alternatives/Practical Alternatives Impact Analysis: The Project Team has identified potential social, economic and environmental impacts of alternatives. This analysis included a detailed inventory of resources, conducting various field studies, and documenting proposed impacts within the environmental document. Specific analysis and field work focused on documenting impacts on/from:

• Practical Alternatives: The initial alternatives will be refined based upon public and agency input and the aforementioned preliminary impact analysis.

• Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS): The DEIS will address the environmental effects of the Practical Alternatives within the US-131 study area.

• Public Hearing: A Public Hearing will be held on March 29, 2005.