The US-131 Improvement Study began in February 2000. In January 2001, at the request of the local communities, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) extended the US-131 Improvement Study five miles north to approximately one mile north of Lovers Lane. In addition, two new non-freeway alternatives were added by MDOT in 2003.

Figure 2  shows where we are in the study schedule.  The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been completed.  The next step is the Public Hearing, followed by determining a preferred alternative in the Fall of 2005, and completing the Final Environmental Impact Statement in 2006.

The major milestones & anticipated schedule are:

Spring 2005       Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) Distributed

Spring 2005       Public Hearing

Fall 2005           Determine & Review Recommended Alternative

Summer 2006    Complete Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)

Summer 2006    Obtain Record of Decision

Summer 2006    Study Closeout

Following Environmental Clearance (Record of Decision), Preliminary Engineering (Design), then Right-Of-Way Acquisition and Construction may follow at a future date.