Learn more about the US-31 traffic and pedestrian improvements project in Charlevoix.
The main problems on US-31 in downtown Charlevoix depend on who you ask. For local residents who are mainly trying to get through the downtown area on their way to school or work, drivers are frustrated when pedestrians in the downtown area step out from the sidewalks anywhere on the corridor and stop traffic, rather than using designated crossings. For pedestrians in the downtown area, many of whom are visitors from other areas, a shortage of pedestrian crosswalks with signals may lead them to try crossing in other locations they find more convenient for their destination. Unfortunately, there have also been crashes involving pedestrians resulting in severe injuries and deaths.
In addition to gathering traffic counts, measuring delay, observing driver and pedestrian behaviors, and reviewing traffic crash reports, MDOT commissioned a study of the downtown in 2021. During that study, MDOT’s consultant surveyed pedestrians and drivers about pedestrian and traffic concerns in the downtown area. Key comments included:
While developing its proposed plans to address ongoing concerns, MDOT conducted a follow-up online survey in November/December 2025 with three questions. Nearly 400 people responded before the survey closed on Jan. 1, 2026. The three questions were:
Some of the most frequent comments were that some crosswalks have poor visibility, particularly at the mid-block crossing at Van Pelt Alley; that the bascule bridge openings on the half-hour cause delays; that pedestrians are not using crosswalks, are jaywalking and step out in front of traffic unexpectedly; and that some drivers are inattentive, arrogant and aggressive. Less frequent concerns included noting that traffic backups endanger pedestrians; there are too many crosswalks; there are too many festivals and roadway closures; that on-street parking results in delays and visibility issues; and that pedestrians don’t use the crossing beneath the bascule bridge to cross US-31. Other concerns included:
The vast majority of respondents said their concerns had gotten worse (including such adverbs as "much," "way," "exponentially," and "significantly!"). Some of the attributed reasons included more larger vehicles, inattentive pedestrians, drivers using the turn lane to pass, festivals and special events, the mid-block and unsignalized crosswalks, the three-lane conversion, more boat traffic resulting in more bridge openings, parking on Bridge Street, increased vehicle traffic, and E-bikes, bicycles and E-scooters adding to congestion.
Comparatively few people thought their concerns stayed the same or improved, but of those who said it improved, they attributed it to removal of the north Bridge Street crosswalk at Clinton, placement of cement flower-pot barriers, and the three-lane conversion.
Here is where answers really varied. The most common suggestions were to remove the mid-block crossing at Van Pelt Alley, limiting bascule bridge openings to each hour instead of every 30 minutes, restrict or eliminate on-street parking, enforce jaywalking and add pedestrian-activated crossing signals or more full signals at crosswalks. Other suggestions included:
Some of the suggestions are out of MDOT’s sole scope of control, such as the opening schedule for the bascule bridge and bypassing traffic around Charlevoix. Others would lack the necessary space to achieve, such as building a pedestrian bridge over the highway or a tunnel beneath it, replacing the bascule bridge with a tunnel or moving the bridge to another location. Some suggestions, such as restricting or eliminating on-street parking, reducing the number of downtown festivals and events, increased police presence and enforcement, or making Bridge Street and State Street a one-way pair to carry US-31 traffic, would be up to the City of Charlevoix or would need to be done as a cooperative effort with MDOT.
In light of the documented safety benefits realized by reducing the highway lanes to one in each direction with one center left-turn lane, MDOT is not considering restoring four lanes on that section of the highway.
In the three years before the lane conversion in 2018, the corridor had 173 crashes, including six that resulted in severe injuries. In the three years following the conversion, the corridor had 64 crashes (a 63 percent reduction) and three crashes resulting in severe injuries (a 50 percent reduction). Crashes continue to decline, with a total of 51 crashes from 2022 to 2024.
The opening schedule for the Charlevoix bascule bridge, opened in 1949, is actually set by the U.S. Coast Guard, not by MDOT, because the Round Lake/Pine River channel waterway traffic takes precedent under federal law, which gives marine traffic the right of way on most navigable waterways. Prior to 2000, when MDOT requested a change from the Coast Guard to limit those twice-hourly openings during the day from April 1 to Oct. 31 each year, that frequency of opening was required year-round.
Through several projects over the last decade, MDOT has improved the operational reliability of the bascule bridge, leading to fewer closures due to malfunctions. In 2022, MDOT changed the signals on both ends of bascule bridge to flash amber rather than display steady green when the bridge is open to vehicular traffic to alert drivers to proceed with caution. In 2018, MDOT, with support from the Charlevoix City Commission, converted US-31 to three lanes from M-66 to Hurlbut Street, and the bascule bridge north to Mercer Boulevard to provide safer turning opportunities to drivers and make it safer and more comfortable for pedestrians to cross the highway.
It’s a certainty that there will continue to be drivers who are either destined for downtown or passing through, and there will continue to be pedestrians in the downtown area, both locals and visitors who are working at or shopping in those businesses, dining at local restaurants, and visiting area attractions on foot. Knowing that, MDOT is working on a comprehensive approach to help accommodate all users and keep all kinds of traffic moving smoothly and safely.
While it may be convenient for someone exiting a vehicle parked along Bridge Street, or a pedestrian wishing to cross US-31, to simply step out into the roadway at any point, this is not safe as drivers may not be able to see them between parked vehicles and crashes can occur. Additionally, these unexpected crossings prompt sudden stops by drivers that could result in rear-end crashes, increase frustration and increase delays. MDOT’s goal is to help keep traffic flowing through Charlevoix while providing opportunities for safe and convenient crossings for pedestrians.
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users and often suffer severe injuries or are killed when struck by vehicles. Absent a grade-separated crossing for pedestrians, such as a bridge or a tunnel, the best way to help prevent crashes involving vehicles and pedestrians is to have clear visibility and expectations for drivers and pedestrians on where these crossings will occur. By providing signalized crosswalks at convenient intervals, pedestrians are encouraged to use those crossings while vehicle traffic is stopped, rather than crossing at unexpected points along the roadway or from between parked vehicles. Signalized crosswalks also give drivers clear indications of where pedestrians will be crossing and let them know by lights and signs when it is pedestrians’ turn to cross. MDOT also plans to remove the mid-block crossing at Van Pelt Alley and add curb bump-outs at the Mason Street, Clinton Street and Park Avenue intersections to make pedestrians more visible to drivers and to reduce crosswalk distances.
Michigan's Uniform Traffic Code (UTC) (Rule 702) explains the responsibilities of motorists and pedestrians at non-signalized crossings: "When traffic-control signals are not in place or are not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger, but a pedestrian shall not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into a path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield."
At a signalized crossing (Michigan Vehicle Code Section 257.613), pedestrians have the right of way during and in the direction indicated by a “walk” signal, and drivers must yield to them. During the “don’t walk” phase (either steady or blinking), pedestrians are not to start to cross; however, one who has partially crossed when that signal appears should proceed to the sidewalk or a safety island.
Any type of barrier would most likely be installed on a sidewalk portion of the roadway, which is usually under a local municipality’s jurisdiction, but it could be considered as a way to help encourage pedestrians to cross at designated crossings. However, that type of barrier would also inhibit movement of vehicle drivers and passengers parking along the street from reaching the adjacent sidewalks, or returning to their vehicles.
The City of Charlevoix and the Charlevoix Police Department have made several efforts to encourage pedestrian crossing at safe locations, such as placing planters at locations where crossing is discouraged, installing signs encouraging pedestrians to cross at designated crossings, and increased warnings and citations for pedestrians who are crossing in violation of the law.
This intersection doesn’t fall within the bounds of the “downtown” area that MDOT is considering with this project, but can be looked at separately to see if a traffic signal or other changes would be appropriate.
