I-94, US-31 About To Reopen In Benton Harbor

highway-safe-5-17
highway-safe-5-17

The Michigan Department of Transportation has completed some of its I-94 work in Benton Harbor, meaning it will be smoother sailing for drivers. MDOT spokesperson Nick Schirripa tells us work on I-94 from the 94 Business Loop to I-196 was to wrap up Tuesday. As for US-31 to I-94, that should open this weekend. Schirripa tells us MDOT has added a lane for the traffic going from US-31 to I-196.

“Part of what this project was, in addition to connecting US-31 directly to I-94 — US-31 will tie in at I-94 BL — there is an auxiliary lane, a seventh lane of I-94 that connects that southern leg of US-31 directly to that northern leg of US-31 slash I-196,” Schirripa said.

The US-31 portion of the project was to reopen to traffic Tuesday, but there was a rain delay, pushing that back to the weekend. However, Schirripa says the I-94 lanes from the Business Loop to I-196 were ready to be put back into use. This could mean no more daily backups on eastbound 94 from Benton Harbor to I-196. Meanwhile, he also notes a I-94 project headed in the other direction, from Britain Avenue to Stevensville, is still taking place. So, those lane restrictions remain in effect.