US - 131 “We are broke!”
US-131 is a money pit for the State of Michigan. The miles of concrete and asphalt are literally crumbling faster than the public can afford to repair or replace the aging infrastructure.
“MDOT says that US-131 needs a full rebuild and modernization, but that is estimated to cost upwards of $500 million. The annual budget for the 13 counties in the "Grand Region" of Michigan is only $100 million.” - MDOT to 13 On Your Side.
The history of constructing and repairing the blighted highway in Grand Rapids shows, time after time that will never be enough. The larger the road, the more lanes added, the more elevation used will always increase the cost of construction and repair! Boulevard ‘ing’ US- 131 through downtown Grand Rapids would be a much more economical method of maintaining the travel options with in the area, while also improving the landscape and life of the city.
US 131 as a Boulevard in Downtown GR- Render provided by Warren Rempel
Some Facts about US-131’s history from Wikipedia: US- 131
On December 17, 1962, the freeway through downtown Grand Rapids was completed, including the section marked as I-296.
On December 27, 1999, the state awarded an $85.7 million contract (equivalent to $142 million in 2022[68]) for the replacement of the S-Curve on US 131.[82] Deposits of gypsum under the roadway were dissolving and causing it to settle.[84] A deteriorating bridge also forced the reconstruction of the freeway through the area.[85] Construction began on January 15, 2000,[55] diverting the roughly 115,000 vehicles per day that used the stretch of road to detours through the downtown area.[86] As part of the project, a $1.2 million (equivalent to $1.95 million in 2022[68]) de-icing system was installed.[87] The system is designed to spray a de-icing fluid on the roadway that would be carried by car tires up to a mile (1.6 km) along the road surface. This fluid is expected to melt ice at temperatures below the −20 °F (−29 °C) at which salt stops working. Unlike salt, the non-corrosive de-icer does not harm the bridge, but it is more costly. The system is designed to be activated manually, or automatically via sensors along the road. However, plowing would still be required on the roadway.[87] The idea behind the de-icing system is to keep the pavement wet and prevent the formation of ice.[88]
Construction delays were caused by river flooding during spring rains. A design mistake meant that one of the bridges in the structure was built a foot (30 cm) too low, and Grandville Avenue was lowered to compensate for the error. Before the opening, MDOT held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the freeway to allow local residents to walk along the structure on August 12. The first northbound lanes were opened to traffic in mid-August, three weeks ahead of schedule.[86] Lead contractor Kiewit Western, a company whose "employees have been known to work 13-hour days and 100-hour weeks", accelerated their work schedule over the course of the project to compensate for the delays and still finish the venture early.[89] The remaining lanes opened to traffic on October 26, also ahead of schedule. Additional work started after the main roadway opened by closing various ramps for reconstruction. This work also focused on restoring parking lots located under or adjacent to the freeway and testing the de-icing system;[90] the final ramps were opened in early December 2000 and early January 2001.[91] The end result of the construction produced a freeway design that increased the rated traffic speed from 45 to 50 mph (72 to 80 km/h).[84]]
And now in the present day:
US-131 Bridge Improvements & Joint Repairs - Grand Rapids- MDOT
MDOT is investing approximately $6.2 million to improve the northbound and southbound US-131 bridges over Plaster Creek just south of Burton Street in Grand Rapids. Work also includes concrete joint repairs on US-131 from M-11 (28th Street) to Pearl Street.
I hope that the construction this summer highlights the dire need for fiscally responsible actions and resets our values as a society. Should we pour our money in to the concrete only for it to erode and decay in our lifetimes? Or can we pour that money in to options that allow greater mobility choices and impact the planet to a less reckless degree while also making life more enjoyable for people who live near or around the highway?
- Anna Carley
