Title: Possible M-231 extension
Post by: Terry Shea on February 13, 2020, 04:49:58 PM
Post by: Terry Shea on February 13, 2020, 04:49:58 PM
https://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/20200213/possible-m-231-expansion-considered
This seems silly if it's just going to be a 2-lane road. Original plans called for a full freeway from I-196 near Zeeland to I-96 near Nunica. While the already built northern 2-lane portion was necessary due to a lack of bridges across the Grand River in Ottawa County and the very undependable bascule bridge in Grand Haven, I don't see where a 2-lane road with at grade intersections from I-196 to M-45 serves any useful purpose. 120th avenue already spans this stretch. Either make it a full freeway that people will use to bypass Holland/Grand Haven or scrap it altogether.
This seems silly if it's just going to be a 2-lane road. Original plans called for a full freeway from I-196 near Zeeland to I-96 near Nunica. While the already built northern 2-lane portion was necessary due to a lack of bridges across the Grand River in Ottawa County and the very undependable bascule bridge in Grand Haven, I don't see where a 2-lane road with at grade intersections from I-196 to M-45 serves any useful purpose. 120th avenue already spans this stretch. Either make it a full freeway that people will use to bypass Holland/Grand Haven or scrap it altogether.
Title: Re: Possible M-231 extension
Post by: silverback1065 on February 13, 2020, 05:50:08 PM
Post by: silverback1065 on February 13, 2020, 05:50:08 PM
It's supposed to become a freeway one day. Has the R/W for it too.
Title: Re: Possible M-231 extension
Post by: renegade on February 13, 2020, 07:11:27 PM
Post by: renegade on February 13, 2020, 07:11:27 PM
It'll happen when it happens ... it's the MDOT way. :popcorn:
Title: Re: Possible M-231 extension
Post by: silverback1065 on February 13, 2020, 07:13:45 PM
Post by: silverback1065 on February 13, 2020, 07:13:45 PM
Quote from: renegade on February 13, 2020, 07:11:27 PMSo in 350 yrs?
It'll happen when it happens ... it's the MDOT way. :popcorn:
Title: Re: Possible M-231 extension
Post by: seicer on February 13, 2020, 07:28:19 PM
Post by: seicer on February 13, 2020, 07:28:19 PM
It appears to be a mostly two-lane freeway with four interchanges. Judging from the studies performed, it doesn't appear that there are high enough traffic counts to warrant a four-lane freeway and financial considerations make this project a long-shot proposal that *could* be built.
Title: Re: Possible M-231 extension
Post by: Terry Shea on February 13, 2020, 08:17:38 PM
Post by: Terry Shea on February 13, 2020, 08:17:38 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on February 13, 2020, 07:13:45 PMThat would be very optimistic by MDOT standards!Quote from: renegade on February 13, 2020, 07:11:27 PMSo in 350 yrs?
It’ll happen when it happens ... it’s the MDOT way. :popcorn:
Title: Re: Possible M-231 extension
Post by: ftballfan on February 14, 2020, 09:06:11 PM
Post by: ftballfan on February 14, 2020, 09:06:11 PM
IMHO, any potential extension of M-231 should end at existing US-31 between New Holland St and Port Sheldon St. US-31 near Holland doesn't need a bypass as it has good access control (i.e. all of the businesses along US-31 north of Holland are accessed via parallel service drives). US-31 through Grand Haven is a mess as most of the businesses along that stretch enter/exit directly on to US-31.
Also, as Hudsonville and Allendale keep growing, I-196 could really use an interchange at 48th Ave.
Also, as Hudsonville and Allendale keep growing, I-196 could really use an interchange at 48th Ave.
Title: Re: Possible M-231 extension
Post by: The Ghostbuster on February 17, 2020, 03:30:09 PM
Post by: The Ghostbuster on February 17, 2020, 03:30:09 PM
I expect it will be at least 10 to 20 years before M-231 is extended southward. At any rate, how many homes and businesses would have to be demolished in order for M-231 to be extended southward, say to Interstate 196? I wonder if any NIMBYism might arise about such an extension.