GVMC - Southwest Grand Rapids Traffic Circulation Study (200-2025) June, 2001

Short-range improvements by the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC) according to their current Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) are included in Appendix A. The Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP)(2006-2025) within the Study Area may be found in Appendix B. These improvements address many of the current and future 2025 transportation plan needs within the Study Area. Specific needs identified through this study process may be found in Appendix E.

Some transportation needs are not yet addressed in either of the above improvement programs. The major transportation needs/issues highlighted by this Study include:

	Improved Access to I-196 in the Chicago Drive/Baldwin Street Area
	Improved access at I-196 near Chicago Drive is needed to improve the overall LOS at several local road intersections, avoid delays caused by trains, provide a new means of ingress and egress for emergency vehicles, and prevent back-ups onto existing I-196, especially the p.m. peak. The Baldwin Street Connector Interchange Modification Report has been completed by MDOT and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The next step will be to conduct either an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the recommended interchange modifications by the end of 2002. Once this has been completed and approved; statewide funding, design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction could commence. At present, no design, right-of-way acquisition or mitigation dollars have been set aside for this project through at least 2006.

	I-196/44^th Street Interchange
	This diamond type interchange is in need of updating and modernizing so that it can efficiently handle traffic from adjacent developments, i.e. Rivertown Crossings mall and its surrounding ancillary commercial developments. While a loop ramp from eastbound 44^th Street to eastbound I-196 has been approved for 2002, other improvements may be needed as well.

	48th Avenue/Warner Street/68^th Avenue Corridor
	Construction of US-31 will improve north-south movements in western Ottawa County. Eastern Ottawa County however, is void of any such facility. The desire to improve north-south access can be realized through proper planning starting today. In an effort to improve north-south access in eastern Ottawa County, improvements should be considered to 48^th Avenue north of M-45, and Warner Street between 48^th Avenue and 68^th Avenue. These improvements will provide an alternative to M-45 through Allendale, and improve access to planned industrial facilities in the area. Townships along 48^th Avenue south of M-45 should come to a consensus on such things as building setbacks, access control, impact fees, etc., to name a few, for the corridor in order to preserve right-of-way for the future. The necessary right-of-way will depend on the type of road anticipated: 3-lane, 5-lane, or a 4-lane boulevard (See Figure 4.1.1), as well as whether curb and gutter or depressed drainage ditches are desired. Lastly, some municipalities have expressed interest in a 48^th Avenue/I-196 Interchange in the future for the corridors southern termination point and possible location for a future grade separated crossing of the rail line west of Chicago Drive. This will require close coordination with MDOT, the support of local governments, the Grand Valley Metro council, the Macatawa Area Coordinating Council, the Ottawa County Road Commission, Ottawa County Commissioners and others, and may take years to study, plan and implement.

	Additional Grand River Crossings
	As noted earlier in this study, Ottawa County’s population, development and traffic growth have led to a belief that another crossing of the Grand River may be needed. Three possible Grand River crossing locations were identified by the Study: 48th Avenue, 28th Avenue to Lover’s Lane, and Taylor Street to Burton Street. While any of these locations does improve access, each alternative includes potentially major negative environmental, social, and economic impacts. In addition, improving the 48^th/Warner/68^th Avenue corridor, in combination with improved access at Baldwin and I-196, may substantially reduce the demand for any additional river crossing in the study area. The recommendation at this time is to delay any further study of an additional crossing. Therefore, should further consideration of this need be desired, a separate and all-inclusive study should be undertaken to investigate which crossing or crossings are the best solution for the areas needs.

	Intersection and Interchange Modifications
	There is a general consensus that analysis of interchange modifications is needed at: I-196/28^th Street, I-196/Baldwin Street/Chicago Drive area, I-96/Fruitridge Avenue, I-196/44^th Street, and I-96/68^th Avenue

	Public Transportation
	Most communities interviewed in this study indicated that they did not receive significant requests for fixed route public transit services. Many thought that existing specialized transportation was being handled by private or non-profit agencies. Future social, economic, or demographic conditions may change this viewpoint so that public transit services are more viable.

	Access Management
	The major travel corridors identified in this study should be carefully monitored by agencies controlling growth and development. Actions should be taken to preserve these corridors for future improvements by establishing building set backs, reducing/limiting direct driveway access to the corridor, consideration of impact fees to pay for the improvements, and coordination between developments and the adjacent communities.

	M-11 (Wilson Avenue)
	M-11 is in need of major modifications to address current and future traffic volumes and provide an acceptable level of service (LOS). Some possible cross-sections are shown in Figure 4.1.1. The Michigan Department of Transportation MDOT, in cooperation with local agencies should begin a preliminary engineering study to determine appropriate improvements to resolve this issue.

Study Findings - Future Transportation Issues