Supplemental appropriation completes funding of the U.S. 131 Interchange Business Loop in Kalamazoo County
LANSING, Mich. (December 18, 2023) — Today Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a supplemental spending bill that included the remaining $3.9 million needed to construct the U.S. 131 Interchange Business Loop in Kalamazoo County. Earlier this year, $20 million was included in the FY ’23-24 Fiscal Year Budget for this project.
The completed U.S. 131 Interchange project will add two ramps at U.S. 131 and the U.S. 131 Business Route north of the City of Kalamazoo. One ramp will go from northbound U.S. 131 onto the eastbound business route and the other will go from the business route onto southbound U.S. 131.
The Cities of Kalamazoo and Parchment, nearby townships, other municipalities, businesses, neighborhoods, and economic development organizations have sought this project for decades.
“I was so proud to work with my legislative colleagues and Governor Whitmer to ensure this transformational project that I’ve been passionate about for decades forges ahead,” said Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo). “Throughout my tenure in the Michigan Legislature, and previously as a Kalamazoo City Commissioner, I have championed funding for this critical infrastructure project for Kalamazoo County. In 2020, I was proud to work with former Rep. Jon Hoadley to obtain funding for the design study. In 2022, I worked with Rep. Julie Rogers to secure $3 million toward construction funding. This year we have achieved the remaining $23.9 million needed to fully implement this project.”
“This bill secures the final piece of funding for US-131 and Business 131 interchange which will bring transformational change to our Northside community, reduce truck traffic and emissions in our neighborhoods while improving our air quality,” said Rep. Julie M. Rogers. “I am thrilled this project, which has been in the planning and development stage for several decades, will finally be fully funded and implemented.”
“We are grateful for all the efforts made by Senator McCann and Representative Rogers to secure the funding for this project that has been on MDOT’s radar for decades,” Will Thompson, PE, MDOT’s Southwest Region Engineer said. “Now that funding is secured, we are excited to move forward with this transformational project that will benefit our local partners and the entire region.”
“Our community will be very excited to see the U.S. 131 Business Spur interchange come to fruition. Creating more access points to Kalamazoo, the City of Parchment, and the northern parts of Kalamazoo County will provide businesses and neighborhoods many benefits, including the enhanced connection to I-94, lowering of traffic congestion in downtown Kalamazoo, and increasing safety measures on our roads. This couldn’t have been done without the support of our community and business leaders working together with local, state and federal government. We appreciate the work Senator McCann and Representative Rogers have put into securing the funding to make many years of work a reality,” said Jonas Peterson, CEO of Southwest Michigan First.
“I am proud of my colleague Sen. McCann for his efforts in bringing much-needed funding to his community,” said Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “As a legislator, our work largely revolves around our constituents, and we spend a majority of our time ensuring they have the resources they need. That starts and often ends with our state budget. I look forward to partnering with Gov. Whitmer and my colleagues in the House and Senate for the next few years to put forth more people-focused budget funding like this.”
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