Green Scissors Report

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U.S.-131 Expansion

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Proposal & Savings
* Deny funding for expansion of U.S.-131
from its current two lanes to a four-lane limited access freeway north of Cadillac,
and for a connector to I-75.
Savings Estimate: $500 million
($400 million federal; $100 million state and local)

The shaded areas are the preliminary study
corridors for the US-131 expansion.Map
Source: Michigan Department of Transportation

Background:
U.S.-131 is a major north-south route running from Indiana through western Michigan to the northern
Lake Michigan coast. The road goes through Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, and ends in Petoskey.
U.S.-131 is the primary access route to the relatively unspoiled regions of northwest lower Michigan --
prime recreation and vacation areas -- attracting residents of Chicago, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and other
cities.
U.S.-131 has been planned as a four-lane limited access freeway along its entire length since the 1950s.
Currently, the freeway portion ends at Cadillac, and the 90 miles of road northward to Petoskey is a two-lane
highway.
I-75 runs parallel to U.S.-131, and the Michigan Department of Transportation wants to add a connector
route between the two roads, although a location has not yet been chosen.
Recent Action:
An $86.5 million bypass around Cadillac is in the final planning stages, with 95% of the necessary land
acquired. An Environmental Impact Statement on the next phase, to Manton, is underway. A Draft EIS for the
Manton to Kalkaska segment will begin in the summer of 1997.
Taxpayer Concerns:
• The scoping documents prepared by the Michigan Department of Transportation clearly state that traffic
concerns do not justify the expansion. Traffic counts are well below the state average, as are accident and
death rates, even in the worst locations.
Local Community Concerns:
• The MDOT scoping documents also indicate that communities along the existing roadway can expect
many unwelcome effects as a result of the expansion.
• Small businesses and residents fear that a four-lane, limited access freeway will drain the local economy
and reduce the quality of life by making the area less attractive to tourists and seasonal residents.
• Although the U.S.-131 Development Authority, a collection of business enterprises and economic
groups, supports the highway expansion, many residents have consistently argued at public hearings for
improvements to the existing roadbed instead of new construction.
Environmental Concerns:
• The four-lane freeway will affect acres of wetlands, bisect large tracts of undeveloped state forest land,
traverse a blue ribbon trout stream, degrade state and federally designated
natural and wild and scenic rivers, and divide important agricultural lands.
• The Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), many of its local affiliates, other environmental
groups, businesses and local residents support less expensive alternatives that have significantly fewer detrimental effects. $
Green Scissors Contacts:
Rick Moore, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, 517/371-1041; Chris Bunch, MUCC, 616/271-4673; Steve
Largent, Grand Traverse Soil Conservation District, 616/941-0960.
Pro-Spending Contact:
Gary G. Naeyaert, Michigan Department of Transportation, 517/373-2160; Keith Jordan, US-131 Development
Authority, 616/796-4012.



	U.S.-131 Expansion
	U.S.-131 Expansion
Proposal & Savings * Deny funding for expansion of U.S.-131 from its current two lanes to a four-lane limited access freeway north of Cadillac, and for a connector to I-75. *Savings Estimate: $500 million* ($400 million federal; $100 million state and local)
		The shaded areas are the preliminary study corridors for the US-131 expansion.Map Source: Michigan Department of Transportation
	Background: U.S.-131 is a major north-south route running from Indiana through western Michigan to the northern Lake Michigan coast. The road goes through Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, and ends in Petoskey. U.S.-131 is the primary access route to the relatively unspoiled regions of northwest lower Michigan -- prime recreation and vacation areas -- attracting residents of Chicago, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and other cities. U.S.-131 has been planned as a four-lane limited access freeway along its entire length since the 1950s. Currently, the freeway portion ends at Cadillac, and the 90 miles of road northward to Petoskey is a two-lane highway. I-75 runs parallel to U.S.-131, and the Michigan Department of Transportation wants to add a connector route between the two roads, although a location has not yet been chosen. Recent Action: An $86.5 million bypass around Cadillac is in the final planning stages, with 95% of the necessary land acquired. An Environmental Impact Statement on the next phase, to Manton, is underway. A Draft EIS for the Manton to Kalkaska segment will begin in the summer of 1997. Taxpayer Concerns: • The scoping documents prepared by the Michigan Department of Transportation clearly state that traffic concerns do not justify the expansion. Traffic counts are well below the state average, as are accident and death rates, even in the worst locations. Local Community Concerns: • The MDOT scoping documents also indicate that communities along the existing roadway can expect many unwelcome effects as a result of the expansion. • Small businesses and residents fear that a four-lane, limited access freeway will drain the local economy and reduce the quality of life by making the area less attractive to tourists and seasonal residents. • Although the U.S.-131 Development Authority, a collection of business enterprises and economic groups, supports the highway expansion, many residents have consistently argued at public hearings for improvements to the existing roadbed instead of new construction. Environmental Concerns: • The four-lane freeway will affect acres of wetlands, bisect large tracts of undeveloped state forest land, traverse a blue ribbon trout stream, degrade state and federally designated natural and wild and scenic rivers, and divide important agricultural lands. • The Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), many of its local affiliates, other environmental groups, businesses and local residents support less expensive alternatives that have significantly fewer detrimental effects. $ *Green Scissors Contacts:* Rick Moore, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, 517/371-1041; Chris Bunch, MUCC, 616/271-4673; Steve Largent, Grand Traverse Soil Conservation District, 616/941-0960. *Pro-Spending Contact:* Gary G. Naeyaert, Michigan Department of Transportation, 517/373-2160; Keith Jordan, US-131 Development Authority, 616/796-4012.