By Jef Rietsma
The first phase of a two-year, $51 million rehabilitation last year centered on U.S. 131 from just outside Three Rivers north to XY Avenue in Schoolcraft Township.
There’s no way to sugar-coat the impact this summer’s second phase will have on Schoolcraft and areas north and south of the village, said Michigan Department of Transportation’s Nick Schirripa.
“Please be patient and please understand it takes a short time of inconvenience for a long-term benefit,” he said. “We started the St. Joseph County portion of this job on May 1 last year and wrapped it up in December. Our plan is to get an earlier start on phase two – we’re looking at April 15 – and maybe finish a bit earlier. Nov. 15 is our target.”
The segment to be upgraded this year represents about a third of the overall 13.4-mile project.
Schirripa said work in 2024 will pick up at XY Avenue and continue north to Shaver Road. By comparison to 2023, work in 2024 will be much more of an inconvenience for motorists, Schirripa said.
That includes a two-week full closure of U.S. 131 at the Grand Trunk Western Railroad crossing on the south side of Schoolcraft. In addition, repaving will continue from XY Avenue to Schoolcraft village limits, resuming from north of the village limits up to Shaver Road.
“There are three significant pieces to this year’s work … total closure for about two weeks at the railroad crossing in Schoolcraft; a separate closure of approximately two weeks on Shaver Road at U.S. 131, where we’ll rebuild that intersection; and we’ll be rebuilding U.S. 131 curb to curb inside (Schoolcraft),” he said. “It’s worth noting inside the village we’ll be upgrading the traffic signals at Lyons and Eliza streets where they intersect with 131.”
He said U.S. 131 in Schoolcraft will be shifted to one lane in each direction while the rebuild takes place. Schirripa stated access to all businesses in Schoolcraft will remain available from rear entrances.
“There will be directional detours through the village, so while they’re building the northbound side, northbound traffic will be detoured,” Schirripa said. “When the work moves over the southbound side, southbound traffic will be detoured.”
Schirripa said detour routes have not yet been established. MDOT will work with Kalamazoo County to identify those alternate roads.
In addition, Schirripa said it’s his understanding that when work is completed, left-turn lanes will be in place for southbound and northbound traffic on U.S. 131 wishing to turn east or west onto Lyons Street.
Regarding the Shaver Road intersection, Schirripa said westbound Shaver Road motorists wishing to go south onto U.S. 131 will do so with the benefit of a so-called “Michigan left” after turning north onto U.S. 131.
The general contractor is Kalamazoo-based Michigan Paving and Materials. Schirripa had high praise for the company.
