Michigan's US 31 at I-94 Interchange Alternatives Analysis

Federal Highway Administration2021PDFTech ReportHamilton, IanZhou, YuyingVHB/Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of SafetyRoche, JerryUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of SafetyUnited StatesMichiganFreewaysInterchangesEnvironmental protectionProgramming (Planning)Strategic planningHighway Safety ManualHSMAlternativeFHWA-SA-21-020DTFH61-16-D-00052Roche, JerryCase StudySince 1981, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has worked with the Federal Highway Administration to complete the US 31 freeway connection between I-80/90 in northern Indiana to I-94 in Berrien County, Michigan. The latest construction on the US 31 freeway ended in 2003 with a terminal interchange at Napier Avenue in Berrien County. The original US 31 alignment planned to connect the new freeway to the existing I-94 and I-196 interchange northeast of Benton Harbor, Michigan. However, MDOT identified a sensitive natural resource and endangered species habitat south of the I-94 and I-196 interchange. Since this discovery, MDOT identified an acceptable tie-in at the I-94 and I-94 Business Loop partial interchange east of Benton Harbor. This case study presents MDOT\u2019s iterative approach to project development that used the Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) software to identify a preferred design alternative based on a broad suite of traffic, safety, and cost considerations. The strategic application of IHSDM allowed MDOT to assess different design alternatives and project assumptions to make data-driven decisions for the proposed I-94 and US 31 interchange and surrounding network.137