US 31 freeway gap in Michigan finally will be filled (well 1 of them anyway)

[NWI_Irish96]

https://www.harborcountry-news.com/news/extended-u-s-31-could-open-in-mid-october/article_2e08408c-3b04-567c-bab9-ac107186cf3a.html

Possible opening of the US 31 gap in Benton Harbor by mid-October.
Expect road closure for the I-94 EB -> I-196 NB movement ramp soon.

Hopefully that closure is after the 16th.

[ChimpOnTheWheel]

https://www.wsjm.com/2022/09/15/eastbound-i-94-ramp-to-i-196-to-close-sunday/

Ramp from I-94 EB to I-196 NB closing September 18 - September 30.

The official detour is to go I-94 EB -> Exit 41 -> I-94 WB -> I-196 NB. Why that's the detour is beyond me since Exit 39 comes two miles before, and using I-94 straight to US-131 is not that much longer if you're headed up to Grand Rapids.

[paulthemapguy]

https://www.wsjm.com/2022/09/15/eastbound-i-94-ramp-to-i-196-to-close-sunday/

Ramp from I-94 EB to I-196 NB closing September 18 - September 30.

The official detour is to go I-94 EB -> Exit 41 -> I-94 WB -> I-196 NB. Why that's the detour is beyond me since Exit 39 comes two miles before, and using I-94 straight to US-131 is not that much longer if you're headed up to Grand Rapids.

State detours can only be routed along state-maintained corridors; they're mainly in place for trucks, to point out suitable truck routes that can serve as adequate alternatives.  DOTs know that car traffic will likely use lower-profile roads as their detour, but they post a detour that everyone, including trucks, can use.  Even though many Interstate interchanges will meet non-state surface roads, the surface road and the interchange ramps will still be maintained by the state right at the interchange.  Thus, MDOT has domain over the side road between the ramp junctions, and they can sign a state detour along that short section of side road at exit 39.

[JREwing78]

All they have to do is exit at exit 41, then take M-140 north back to I-196. No need to double-back.

There's (probably) good reason for MDOT to not sign it that way, but that's a better option than the signed detour and it's a truck route.

[Terry Shea]

All they have to do is exit at exit 41, then take M-140 north back to I-196. No need to double-back.

There's (probably) good reason for MDOT to not sign it that way, but that's a better option than the signed detour and it's a truck route.

It's MDOT, so there probably is no good reason.  If you're on Airport Road @ I-69 north of Lansing, the ramp to WB I-69 is closed.  You would think that the posted detour would be to continue south on Airport Road to Grand River Ave. and follow it to I-96/I-69, especially since that is the posted detour for traffic presently on WB I-69 wishing to exit at WB I-96, since that ramp is also closed.  But instead, the posted detour for WB I-69 sends you down the ramp onto EB I-69 to SB US-127 to WB-I-96 to SB (at that point) I-69.  That detour involves making about a 3/4 circle around Lansing, assuming the driver wants to continue on I-69 south of Lansing, and almost a full circle if they want to exit further north on I-69.  Now, as bad as that sounds, until about a week ago signage was in place on Airport Rd. for WB I-69 traffic to detour onto EB I-69, but there was no signage once you go onto I-69 itself!  I wonder how many people flew into Capital City Airport, went north on Airport Road, took the posted WB I-69 detour via EB I-69, and ended up in Flint or Port Huron...or even Canada because all detour signage on I-69 was non-existent!  They've also made numerous errors on the electronic signage regarding detours in the area citing wrong exit numbers, wrong directions and even wrong freeways!

[JREwing78]

All they have to do is exit at exit 41, then take M-140 north back to I-196. No need to double-back.

There's (probably) good reason for MDOT to not sign it that way, but that's a better option than the signed detour and it's a truck route.

Ah, NOW it's clear. Didn't realize this was happening:
M-140 bridge in Watervliet reopens today, ahead of schedule
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2022/09/02/m140-bridge-in-watervliet-reopens-todayKALAMAZOO, Mich. ­- The Michigan Department of Transportation will be wrapping up its $800,000 investment to repair the M-140 bridge over the Paw Paw Lake Outlet near Watervliet in Berrien County almost two months ahead of schedule.
The bridge will be reopened to traffic this afternoon. It originally was scheduled for completion by Oct. 30.

The project included rebuilding the bridge deck and repairing the abutments and piers. There still is some work to complete off the roadway, such as turf establishment and silt fence removal, but nothing that will require lane or bridge closures.

[Flint1979]

All they have to do is exit at exit 41, then take M-140 north back to I-196. No need to double-back.

There's (probably) good reason for MDOT to not sign it that way, but that's a better option than the signed detour and it's a truck route.

M-140 is closed north of Watervliet until the end of October, it's been like that all summer.

[JREwing78]

All they have to do is exit at exit 41, then take M-140 north back to I-196. No need to double-back.

There's (probably) good reason for MDOT to not sign it that way, but that's a better option than the signed detour and it's a truck route.

M-140 is closed north of Watervliet until the end of October, it's been like that all summer.

Formerly closed. Now reopened (per the press release in my previous post). So now, you CAN use M-140 to get back to I-196/US-31.
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2022/09/02/m140-bridge-in-watervliet-reopens-today

[NWI_Irish96]

All they have to do is exit at exit 41, then take M-140 north back to I-196. No need to double-back.

There's (probably) good reason for MDOT to not sign it that way, but that's a better option than the signed detour and it's a truck route.

Ah, NOW it's clear. Didn't realize this was happening:
M-140 bridge in Watervliet reopens today, ahead of schedule
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2022/09/02/m140-bridge-in-watervliet-reopens-todayKALAMAZOO, Mich. ­- The Michigan Department of Transportation will be wrapping up its $800,000 investment to repair the M-140 bridge over the Paw Paw Lake Outlet near Watervliet in Berrien County almost two months ahead of schedule.
The bridge will be reopened to traffic this afternoon. It originally was scheduled for completion by Oct. 30.

The project included rebuilding the bridge deck and repairing the abutments and piers. There still is some work to complete off the roadway, such as turf establishment and silt fence removal, but nothing that will require lane or bridge closures.

Ha, went that way this weekend and went around because the road closed and detour signs were still up. How hard is it to take those signs down when the road reopens?

[Terry Shea]

All they have to do is exit at exit 41, then take M-140 north back to I-196. No need to double-back.

There's (probably) good reason for MDOT to not sign it that way, but that's a better option than the signed detour and it's a truck route.

Ah, NOW it's clear. Didn't realize this was happening:
M-140 bridge in Watervliet reopens today, ahead of schedule
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2022/09/02/m140-bridge-in-watervliet-reopens-todayKALAMAZOO, Mich. ­- The Michigan Department of Transportation will be wrapping up its $800,000 investment to repair the M-140 bridge over the Paw Paw Lake Outlet near Watervliet in Berrien County almost two months ahead of schedule.
The bridge will be reopened to traffic this afternoon. It originally was scheduled for completion by Oct. 30.

The project included rebuilding the bridge deck and repairing the abutments and piers. There still is some work to complete off the roadway, such as turf establishment and silt fence removal, but nothing that will require lane or bridge closures.

Ha, went that way this weekend and went around because the road closed and detour signs were still up. How hard is it to take those signs down when the road reopens?

See my comments about MDOT signage and such, 5 posts up.

[Flint1979]

It'd be nice for them to take them down that's why I figured it was still closed when I went through that area last weekend. But anyway they still have construction barrels up on I-75 in Saginaw County and they've been done with that project for about three months now.

[Terry Shea]

It'd be nice for them to take them down that's why I figured it was still closed when I went through that area last weekend. But anyway they still have construction barrels up on I-75 in Saginaw County and they've been done with that project for about three months now.

And that bridge they're rebuilding is still going at a snail's pace.

[Flint1979]

It'd be nice for them to take them down that's why I figured it was still closed when I went through that area last weekend. But anyway they still have construction barrels up on I-75 in Saginaw County and they've been done with that project for about three months now.

And that bridge they're rebuilding is still going at a snail's pace.

The Parrish Road bridge? I don't know why they are taking so long with that bridge. Now it's saying it'll be closed until next June.

[Terry Shea]

It'd be nice for them to take them down that's why I figured it was still closed when I went through that area last weekend. But anyway they still have construction barrels up on I-75 in Saginaw County and they've been done with that project for about three months now.

And that bridge they're rebuilding is still going at a snail's pace.

The Parrish Road bridge? I don't know why they are taking so long with that bridge. Now it's saying it'll be closed until next June.

At the pace they're going it won't be done before 2035!

[roadman65]

https://www.wsjm.com/2022/09/15/eastbound-i-94-ramp-to-i-196-to-close-sunday/

Ramp from I-94 EB to I-196 NB closing September 18 - September 30.

The official detour is to go I-94 EB -> Exit 41 -> I-94 WB -> I-196 NB. Why that's the detour is beyond me since Exit 39 comes two miles before, and using I-94 straight to US-131 is not that much longer if you're headed up to Grand Rapids.

But if your heading to Holland or continuing on US 31, it makes sense.

[wanderer2575]

MDOT is hosting an event on Monday 09/26 for the public to see the new freeway before it opens to traffic.  The event begins at 3:00pm and participants will have about an hour to walk, run, or bike (nonmotorized) a 2.5 mile loop between Britain Avenue and I-94.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2022/09/19/walk-run-or-bike-us-31-event-on-sept-26-in-berrien-county

NOAA currently forecasts a high temperature of 65 degrees and a 30% chance of rain.

[Terry Shea]

MDOT is hosting an event on Monday 09/26 for the public to see the new freeway before it opens to traffic.  The event begins at 3:00pm and participants will have about an hour to walk, run, or bike (nonmotorized) a 2.5 mile loop between Britain Avenue and I-94.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2022/09/19/walk-run-or-bike-us-31-event-on-sept-26-in-berrien-county

NOAA currently forecasts a high temperature of 65 degrees and a 30% chance of rain.

Will there be a side trip to see the rare butterflies?

[Great Lakes Roads]

MDOT is hosting an event on Monday 09/26 for the public to see the new freeway before it opens to traffic.  The event begins at 3:00pm and participants will have about an hour to walk, run, or bike (nonmotorized) a 2.5 mile loop between Britain Avenue and I-94.

https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/news-outreach/pressreleases/2022/09/19/walk-run-or-bike-us-31-event-on-sept-26-in-berrien-county

NOAA currently forecasts a high temperature of 65 degrees and a 30% chance of rain.

Will there be a side trip to see the rare butterflies?

Dang it, that would've been fun on my birthday (if only it didn't happen while I am on my trip out in Las Vegas)!

[silverback1065]

so the main movements open soon?

[Flint1979]

It'd be nice for them to take them down that's why I figured it was still closed when I went through that area last weekend. But anyway they still have construction barrels up on I-75 in Saginaw County and they've been done with that project for about three months now.

And that bridge they're rebuilding is still going at a snail's pace.

The Parrish Road bridge? I don't know why they are taking so long with that bridge. Now it's saying it'll be closed until next June.

At the pace they're going it won't be done before 2035!

I went past it today. It looks like they are working on it now.

[ChimpOnTheWheel]

Screenshots taken from a news report September 26, 2022.
https://wwmt.com/news/local/new-interchange-between-us-31-and-i-94-coming-to-berrien-county

[The Ghostbuster]

Wikipedia states the US 31 freeway connection with Interstate 94 may be completed by mid-November. Is this accurate, or is this too optimistic? In any event, this connection should have been completed years ago, but now that it is finally being connected, perhaps that is simply neither here nor there.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Wikipedia states the US 31 freeway connection with Interstate 94 may be completed by mid-November. Is this accurate, or is this too optimistic? In any event, this connection should have been completed years ago, but now that it is finally being connected, perhaps that is simply neither here nor there.

Yes, that's correct, as per this: https://wwmt.com/news/local/new-interchange-between-us-31-and-i-94-coming-to-berrien-county

"MDOT says they're finishing up some final construction work and the interchange should be open to drivers by mid-November."

[Terry Shea]

Wikipedia states the US 31 freeway connection with Interstate 94 may be completed by mid-November. Is this accurate, or is this too optimistic? In any event, this connection should have been completed years ago, but now that it is finally being connected, perhaps that is simply neither here nor there.

Yes, that's correct, as per this: https://wwmt.com/news/local/new-interchange-between-us-31-and-i-94-coming-to-berrien-county

"MDOT says they're finishing up some final construction work and the interchange should be open to drivers by mid-November."

That's interesting.  A couple of weeks ago they were saying mid-October.

[The Ghostbuster]

It appears I overlooked the completion date in the article when I read it. I look forward to US 31's long-awaited completion in mid November!