Grand Rapids Redesigns US-131 Interchange for Safety

News Summary

Grand Rapids is moving forward with a major redesign of the US-131 interchange at Wealthy Street to improve safety and traffic flow. Currently, this interchange handles about 120,000 vehicles daily and has been identified as the most dangerous intersection in Kent County. A new $7 million agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will fund project evaluation and design. The redesign aims to alleviate congestion and ultimately enhance access to key areas in Grand Rapids, with an estimated cost that could reach $700 million.

Grand Rapids is advancing a major redesign of the US-131 interchange at Wealthy Street, a project aimed at improving safety and traffic flow. Currently, the interchange sees approximately 120,000 vehicles navigate this busy highway segment every day, making it a critical point for local and regional transportation.

Engineers are proposing to lower Wealthy Street to an at-grade level, while elevating US-131 above it, which will reverse the existing configuration where Wealthy Street is currently elevated. This redesign is set to alleviate congestion and reduce delays at this significant junction, which connects to some of the most trafficked routes in the area.

The Grand Rapids City Commission has approved a $7 million agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to conduct project evaluation, design, and community outreach efforts. This agreement comes as part of a broader commitment to modernize a roadway system that has seen substantial wear since the interchange was constructed in the early 1960s.

Funding for the redesign will be partially secured through a $10 million grant awarded to the city by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) in 2022. Of this grant, $3 million will specifically cover costs associated with public utility relocation and right-of-way acquisition. However, construction on this substantial redesign is not expected to begin for several more years due to a lack of a definitive timeline and additional funding sources.

The overall estimated cost to replace the current interchange stands at approximately $200 million, but the extensive improvements planned could escalate the total expenditure to around $700 million. As such, securing additional funding from non-traditional sources, such as grants and earmarks from the state budget, will be necessary to ensure the project’s completion.

The need for this redesign is evidenced by data indicating that the current interchange at Wealthy Street is labeled the most dangerous intersection in Kent County, with a total of 112 crashes reported in 2023 alone, including one fatality. This statistic underscores the urgent need for infrastructural enhancements to ensure safer travel for both motorized and non-motorized users.

The Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study initiated in 2019 has been instrumental in identifying necessary improvements along the US-131 corridor. Among the options evaluated in this study are the proposed underpass configuration and an updated overpass design that would incorporate enhancements for pedestrians. These alternatives highlight the importance of community feedback, which MDOT has actively sought during the planning process.

Aside from improving safety, the redesign aims to enhance connectivity to the areas west of this interchange, such as Millennium Park and John Ball Zoo, facilitating better access to recreational spots in Grand Rapids. The three-mile stretch of US-131 from 28th Street to Cherry Street regularly experiences some of the highest traffic volumes in the state, outside of the Detroit Metro area.

As Grand Rapids moves forward with this major infrastructure project, the essential community and environmental assessments will be conducted under the MDOT agreement to ensure comprehensive planning. The importance of upgrading aging infrastructure along this vital transportation corridor has not gone unnoticed, as the city works to create a safer and more efficient traffic experience for all road users.

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Additional Resources

• MLive: Grand Rapids Redesign of US-131 Interchange
• Wikipedia: United States 131
• Crain’s Grand Rapids: S-Curve Redesign Plan
• Google Search: Grand Rapids US-131 interchange
• Wood Radio: Study of US-131 Wealthy Street Interchange
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Engineering
• WZZM13: Grand Rapids Wealthy Street Redesign Grant
• Google News: Grand Rapids Wealthy Street redesign