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M-231 (Michigan highway)
Encyclopedia
M-231 is the designation of a future state trunkline highway
in the Lower Peninsula
of the US state of Michigan
that will serve as a bypass to US Highway 31
(US 31) around Grand Haven
. This highway will be built south of Interstate 96
(I-96) as an additional crossing over the Grand River
. The route will run from M-45
north and across the river to a connection with I-96 near the current M-104
interchange.
The Michigan Department of Transportation
(MDOT) announced the proposed highway in early November 2006. The new corridor is being funded through a Congressional appropriation and a state employment program. The Grand River bridge construction was originally planned for 2010 while the land for the project was being acquired. Other smaller bridges were included in the original plans. Roadway construction was scheduled for 2012. Recent developments in MDOT schedules have construction starting on the Grand River bridge after federal approval is secured with the remainder of the project deferred until addition funding is in place.
. The new road will provide a river crossing almost equidistant between the two, greatly reducing drive times between areas north and south of the river. Currently, a drive from Nunica to Robinson is a 20 miles (32.2 km) trip, the new highway will provide a route closer to 7 miles (11.3 km) in length.
M-231 is to begin along M-45
(Lake Michigan Drive) in Robinson Township
near the intersection with 120th Avenue. It will run due north and cross the Grand River into Crockery Township
. After crossing the river, M-231 will have a grade–separated
junction with Leonard Road south of M-104
. M-231 and M-104 will intersect near the existing M-104 eastern terminus at I-96, and M-231 will continue north to its own northern terminus at a new interchange with I-96.
and designing sections of the highway. The route going to the Grand River from M-45 was being designed. They were expecting the construction of the bridge over the river to begin in 2010 and last until at least 2013. There is another small creek or river that will need also a bridge to be built. That project was projected to begin in 2011 and end in 2012. One more bridge was being considered in the next five years for this route that will be over Leonard Street, a major street that runs east to west halfway between I-96 and the Grand River. Construction of that bridge was projected to begin in 2012. On I-96 itself a bridge that currently goes over the abandoned GTW railroad
was projected to be replaced starting in 2012. Further work on I-96 was projected to begin in 2012 to create the new interchange between it and M-231. That includes extending 112th Avenue over I-96 and placing a bridge over the M-231 ramp for I-96. The last item on the five-year plan list is the 2.5 miles (4 km) running from the Grand River to I-96. That construction was also projected to begin in 2012.
In late 2009, the five-year plan for 2010–2014 was released with a much different construction schedule. The bridge over the Grand River will be built starting in 2010 following the final approvals from the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) in late 2009 or early 2010. Only the bridge substructure and approaches are being constructed, with the remainder of M-231 being deferred until future five-year plans. On April 23, 2010, FHWA approved the M-231 project with a record of decision
(ROD). This document allows MDOT to begin the final engineering, land acquisitions and construction of the project. MDOT announced plans at that time to start the Grand River Bridge construction in late 2010 or early 2011, with the remaining project plans deferred until funding issues are resolved. The ROD also encompassed planned improvements to the US 31 corridor north of Holland and in Grand Haven. Construction on the roadway started on March 28, 2011, with the demolition of three homes in Robinson Township.
from Holland
as well as matching funds from the state's Michigan Jobs Today program. The total cost of the project is expected to be near $150 million.
Michigan Highway System
The Michigan State Trunkline Highway System is made up of all the highways designated as Interstates, U.S. Highways and State Highways in the US state of Michigan. The system is maintained by the Michigan Department of Transportation and comprises of trunklines in all 83 counties of Michigan on...
in the Lower Peninsula
Lower Peninsula of Michigan
The Lower Peninsula of Michigan is the southern of the two major landmasses of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is surrounded by water on all sides except its southern border, which it shares with Ohio and Indiana. Geographically, the Lower Peninsula has a recognizable shape that many people...
of the US state of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
that will serve as a bypass to US Highway 31
U.S. Route 31 in Michigan
US Highway 31 is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System that runs from Alabama, to the Upper Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. In Michigan, it is a state trunkline highway that runs from the Indiana–Michigan state line at Bertrand Township to its terminus at Interstate 75 south...
(US 31) around Grand Haven
Grand Haven, Michigan
Grand Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is the county seat of Ottawa County. Grand Haven is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River, for which it is named. As of the 2010 census, Grand Haven had a population of 10,412. It is part of the...
. This highway will be built south of Interstate 96
Interstate 96
Interstate 96 is an intrastate Interstate Highway that is entirely within the US state of Michigan. Its western terminus is at an interchange with US Highway 31 and Business US Highway 31 , on the western boundary of Norton Shores southeast of Muskegon. Its eastern terminus is at I-75 near the...
(I-96) as an additional crossing over the Grand River
Grand River (Michigan)
The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through the cities of Jackson, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven.-Description:...
. The route will run from M-45
M-45 (Michigan highway)
M-45 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan that is also called Lake Michigan Drive. The highway runs from Agnew near Lake Michigan to the west side of Grand Rapids in the western Lower Peninsula. Lake Michigan Drive continues in each direction from M-45's termini, extending west...
north and across the river to a connection with I-96 near the current M-104
M-104 (Michigan highway)
M-104 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan in the Western Michigan region of the state. It runs from Ferrysburg to Nunica in Ottawa County, passing through Spring Lake...
interchange.
The Michigan Department of Transportation
Michigan Department of Transportation
The Michigan Department of Transportation is a constitutional government agency in the US state of Michigan. The primary purpose of MDOT is to maintain the Michigan State Trunkline Highway System which includes all Interstate, US and state highways in Michigan with the exception of the Mackinac...
(MDOT) announced the proposed highway in early November 2006. The new corridor is being funded through a Congressional appropriation and a state employment program. The Grand River bridge construction was originally planned for 2010 while the land for the project was being acquired. Other smaller bridges were included in the original plans. Roadway construction was scheduled for 2012. Recent developments in MDOT schedules have construction starting on the Grand River bridge after federal approval is secured with the remainder of the project deferred until addition funding is in place.
Route description
Currently, in order to cross the Grand River, travelers must either use US 31 through Grand Haven or 68th Avenue through EastmanvilleEastmanville, Michigan
Eastmanville is an unincorporated community at the southern edge of Polkton Township of Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan.It is centered on the intersection of 68th Ave. and Leonard St. on the north bank of the Grand River at . 68th Ave. is the first bridge over the Grand River east of...
. The new road will provide a river crossing almost equidistant between the two, greatly reducing drive times between areas north and south of the river. Currently, a drive from Nunica to Robinson is a 20 miles (32.2 km) trip, the new highway will provide a route closer to 7 miles (11.3 km) in length.
M-231 is to begin along M-45
M-45 (Michigan highway)
M-45 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan that is also called Lake Michigan Drive. The highway runs from Agnew near Lake Michigan to the west side of Grand Rapids in the western Lower Peninsula. Lake Michigan Drive continues in each direction from M-45's termini, extending west...
(Lake Michigan Drive) in Robinson Township
Robinson Township, Michigan
Robinson Township is a civil township of Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,588 at the 2000 census.- Communities :There are no incorporated municipalities in the township....
near the intersection with 120th Avenue. It will run due north and cross the Grand River into Crockery Township
Crockery Township, Michigan
Crockery Township is a civil township of Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,782.- Communities :There are no incorporated municipalities within the township....
. After crossing the river, M-231 will have a grade–separated
Grade separation
Grade separation is the method of aligning a junction of two or more transport axes at different heights so that they will not disrupt the traffic flow on other transit routes when they cross each other. The composition of such transport axes does not have to be uniform; it can consist of a...
junction with Leonard Road south of M-104
M-104 (Michigan highway)
M-104 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan in the Western Michigan region of the state. It runs from Ferrysburg to Nunica in Ottawa County, passing through Spring Lake...
. M-231 and M-104 will intersect near the existing M-104 eastern terminus at I-96, and M-231 will continue north to its own northern terminus at a new interchange with I-96.
Highway status
According to the five-year plan for the Grand Region for 2007–2011, MDOT was acquiring land for the highway right-of-wayRight-of-way
Right-of-way or right of way may refer to:*Right of way , legally granted access*Right-of-way , a strip of land granted for a transportation facility...
and designing sections of the highway. The route going to the Grand River from M-45 was being designed. They were expecting the construction of the bridge over the river to begin in 2010 and last until at least 2013. There is another small creek or river that will need also a bridge to be built. That project was projected to begin in 2011 and end in 2012. One more bridge was being considered in the next five years for this route that will be over Leonard Street, a major street that runs east to west halfway between I-96 and the Grand River. Construction of that bridge was projected to begin in 2012. On I-96 itself a bridge that currently goes over the abandoned GTW railroad
Grand Trunk Western Railroad
The Grand Trunk Western Railroad is an important subsidiary of the Canadian National Railway , constituting the majority of CN's Chicago Division ....
was projected to be replaced starting in 2012. Further work on I-96 was projected to begin in 2012 to create the new interchange between it and M-231. That includes extending 112th Avenue over I-96 and placing a bridge over the M-231 ramp for I-96. The last item on the five-year plan list is the 2.5 miles (4 km) running from the Grand River to I-96. That construction was also projected to begin in 2012.
In late 2009, the five-year plan for 2010–2014 was released with a much different construction schedule. The bridge over the Grand River will be built starting in 2010 following the final approvals from the Federal Highway Administration
Federal Highway Administration
The Federal Highway Administration is a division of the United States Department of Transportation that specializes in highway transportation. The agency's major activities are grouped into two "programs," the Federal-aid Highway Program and the Federal Lands Highway Program...
(FHWA) in late 2009 or early 2010. Only the bridge substructure and approaches are being constructed, with the remainder of M-231 being deferred until future five-year plans. On April 23, 2010, FHWA approved the M-231 project with a record of decision
Record of Decision
A Record of Decision in the United States is the formal decision document which is recorded for the public.- Federal Register :The ROD is announced in a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register and is printed and made available to the public on the CRMP website.-USEPA :In the USEPA, the...
(ROD). This document allows MDOT to begin the final engineering, land acquisitions and construction of the project. MDOT announced plans at that time to start the Grand River Bridge construction in late 2010 or early 2011, with the remaining project plans deferred until funding issues are resolved. The ROD also encompassed planned improvements to the US 31 corridor north of Holland and in Grand Haven. Construction on the roadway started on March 28, 2011, with the demolition of three homes in Robinson Township.
Funding
The 2005 SAFETEA-LU transportation bill is providing funding earmarked for the project by US Representative Pete HoekstraPete Hoekstra
Peter "Pete" Hoekstra is a former Republican U.S. Representative for who served in the House from 1993 until 2011. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Michigan in 2010 and is expected to run for the United States Senate against Debbie Stabenow in 2012.-Early life and education:Born...
from Holland
Holland, Michigan
Holland is a city in the western region of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa, which is fed by the Macatawa River ....
as well as matching funds from the state's Michigan Jobs Today program. The total cost of the project is expected to be near $150 million.