M-231 (Michigan highway)

Infobox road
state=MI
type=M
route=231
alternate_name=


length_mi=~7
length_round=0
length_km=~11
length_ref=cite news | last = Council | first = Elizabeth | coauthors = | title = MDOT unveils early plans for M-231, the new U.S. 31 bypass | work = | pages = | language = | publisher = Grand Haven Tribune | date =2006-11-09 | url = http://www.grandhaventribune.com/paid/287461742403902.bsp | accessdate = 2006-11-27 ]
established=after 2009
direction_a=South
starting_terminus=
junction=
direction_b=North
ending_terminus=
counties=Ottawa
previous_type=M
previous_route=227
next_type=M
next_route=239

M-231 is the designation of a future state trunkline route in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan that will serve as a bypass to US 31 around Grand Haven. Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) revealed the proposed route in early November 2006. The new corridor will provide an additional crossing over the Grand River.

Travel improvement

Currently, in order to cross the Grand River, travelers must either use US 31 through Grand Haven or 68th Avenue through Eastmanville. 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 mile trip, the new highway will provide a route closer to 7 miles in length.

Highway status

As of November 2006, MDOT indicated that the environmental impact studies will be finished in 2007, after which planning, design and right-of-way acquisition will begin. Land acquisition is not expected to be complete until the end of 2008 and construction will not begin until sometime in 2010 for the bridge itself. The road itself according to the 2007 5 year plan will not be under construction until after 2011. cite web | last = Bessert | first = Christopher J. | title = Highways 230 through 249 | work = Michigan Highways | date = 2006-11-25 | url = http://www.michiganhighways.org/listings/MichHwys230-249.html | accessdate = 2006-11-27 ]

Funding

The 2005 SAFETEA-LU transportation bill is providing fundingcite web | last = Michigan Department of Transportation | title = US-31, Holland to Grand Haven, Ottawa County | work = Expanding the System | pages = 124 | format = PDF
url = http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MDOT_5_Year_Plan_Expandingsystem_143171_7.pdf | accessdate = 2006-11-27 ] earmarked for the project by U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra 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.

References