Studies

Southwest Area Study | North South Corridor Study

Southwest Area Study
The Southwest Grand Rapids region has been experiencing dramatic population and economic growth over the past 20 years. Changes such as the new Rivertown Crossings Mall and the new M-6 freeway ( South Beltline ), as well as the fact that the Southeast Ottawa Traffic Study was done in 1985, have prompted Grand Valley Metro Council (GVMC) members to undertake a new study and look at the overall needs and desires of this area.

Southwest Area Study Document

North South Corridor Study

The North South Corridor Study is a multi-jurisdictional project aimed at addressing and planning for future growth in eastern Ottawa County. As one of the fastest growing counties in the State of Michigan, local and county officials were looking for a way to plan for a higher volume traffic corridor while relieving the potential for future congestion on local roads.

GVMC has been working in partnership with state, county, and local officials to gather data, facilitate public involvement, and draft a study that will meet the needs of decision-makers. The result of the study will be tools and concepts that can be used by local officials to develop a corridor with uniform standards throughout. There is a special focus on preserving the selected corridor so that as growth comes to the area, the transportation infrastructure will be able to grow as well to support the people and businesses of Ottawa County. The study will also provide suggestions that local leaders can use within the corridor for items such as building setbacks, right-of-way width, landscaping, and access management, all ways of using land use principles and transportation concepts hand-in-hand for sound planning.

While it may take many years for the area to see the growth that is projected, local and county leaders felt that planning for that growth now will ensure that future development will happen in an orderly and cost-effective manner. For more information contact Andrea Dewey.

North South Corridor Study Document