The purpose of the project will address the following:

• Reduce current traffic congestion and commute delays, as well as vehicle crashes.
• Accommodate projected traffic growth from commercial and housing developments in the vicinity.
• Incorporate continuous pedestrian and nonmotorized transportation.
• Address declining pavement and culvert conditions.
• Address legislative intent and funding for project.
• Develop improvements compatible with adjacent topography and continuation of the roadway design to the north.

The need for the project is based on the following factors:

• Traffic volumes: The existing roadway is not adequate to support current traffic volumes or projected increases.
• Growth and development: There is a projected increase in both population and jobs north and south of the project area.
• Safety: High-crash intersections have been identified along the study corridor, particularly the 84th Street intersection.
• Pedestrian and nonmotorized connectivity: Current sidewalks and nonmotorized trails are not continuous along the study segment.
• Pavement and culvert condition: This segment of M-37 was built in the early 1950s with various improvements since that time. The pavement and culverts are approaching the end of their useful lifespan.
• Access to adjacent land uses: Traffic volume increases and changes in adjacent land uses have resulted in access challenges.

84th Street improvements: This alternative matches the existing two or three lanes from 92nd Street to the existing boulevard north of 76th Street and includes a short, four-lane boulevard centered around 84th Street. This alternative has minimal environmental and right of way (ROW) impacts but does not address traffic congestion or crashes throughout the M-37 project area.

Five-lane option: This alternative widens the two- or three-lane segment to five lanes without medians, with a proposed four-lane boulevard centered around the 84th Street intersection. This alternative has some environmental and ROW impacts but significantly reduces traffic congestion and crashes compared to the baseline option. However, it is less effective at crash reduction and managing access to/from adjacent land uses than the boulevard option.

Four-lane boulevard option: This alternative turns the entire segment into a four-lane boulevard, with median crossovers for left turns at 92nd Street, 84th Street and 76th Street. This alternative has some environmental impacts and additional ROW impacts but significantly reduces traffic congestion and crashes compared to the baseline option. This is the preferred alternative.

The study segment is 2.7 miles of M-37 (Broadmoor Avenue) in Kent County, from south of 92nd Street in the village of Caledonia to north of 76th Street where the existing M-37 widens into a four-lane boulevard in Caledonia Township. A map of the study segment and project area is available online.

MDOT is planning to request bids for the project in summer 2025. Construction is anticipated to start in spring 2026, with some pre-construction work starting in fall 2025. Construction is contingent upon completion and federal approval of the environmental assessment, anticipated to be in the fall/winter 2024.

 

The project will be funded from Enrolled Senate Bill No. 565 that allocates $40 million to support this project along with other federal, state, metropolitan planning organization (MPO) and county funds, primarily derived from the tax on the sale of gasoline and diesel and vehicle registration fees, as well as revenue from the state general fund.