Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Representative Fred Upton were in Benton Harbor to celebrate the completion of the U.S. 31 project linking the highway to I-94. For decades, the project was stalled, but is now getting done because of the $3.5 billion Rebuilding Michigan Plan, according to a press release from the governor’s office.
The new direct connection between U.S.-31 and I-94 will save drivers three minutes per trip by reducing time-consuming merges and resulting traffic, the release said. More than 17,000 drivers get from U.S.-31 to I-94 every day, and three minutes per trip adds up to over 35 days’ worth of time saved every single day.
“Connecting U.S. 31 to I-94 will save drivers time, keep them safer on the road, and lower their costs,” Whitmer said. “After decades of delay, we are getting this critical Southwest Michigan project done without raising taxes because of Congressman Upton’s efforts to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and my $3.5 billion Rebuilding Michigan Plan, which focuses on fixing economically critical state roads and bridges. Since I took office through the end of this year, Michigan will have fixed 16,000 lane miles of road and 1,200 bridges, supporting 89,000 jobs. I will work with anyone to keep fixing the damn roads because it makes a real difference in people’s lives by saving them time, keeping them safe, and lowering their costs.”
Upton spoke to the process of getting this initiative done.
“The story of U.S.-31 is one of persistence,” Upton said. “For some 50 years it persisted as a problem and for 50 years we persisted in trying to solve it. Today, after long efforts by folks in the community, state and at the federal level, we can finally celebrate the opening of this road and the end of the persistent headaches created when it was not completed. I still have a bumper sticker that says ‘Pray for Me … I drive on US-31.’ Today, our prayers have been answered.”
Michigan Department of Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba thanked the community for their patience.
“MDOT officials battled so many obstacles to fund and complete this vital corridor,” Ajegba said. “I also want to acknowledge the generations of MDOT staff members who worked steadfastly to make today a reality. I appreciate their diligence and I also want to recognize Gov. Whitmer for her vision with the Rebuilding Michigan plan, which helped get this project over the finish line.”
State Senator Kim LaSata also commented on the project.
“Drivers across the region will surely be thankful to see this decades-long project finally reach completion,” LaSata said. “The connection between U.S. 31 and I-94 has been in the works far beyond my time in the Legislature and it’s great to see all of the efforts from previous lawmakers, administrations and state and local officials finally coming to fruition.”
Thanks to this project, drivers will no longer have to navigate interchanges with local roads. According to the press release, “all the slowing down, stopping, turning, and accelerating resulting from exiting and merging onto this freeway uses an estimated 125,000 gallons of gas a year. That’s worth roughly $470,000 dollars based on recent gas prices, back in people’s pockets.”
