Freeway Alternatives Were Never Studied

Proposal and savings
Deny funding for the construction of remaining phases of a new, four-lane, 20-mile long beltway south of the city of Grand Rapids. Project costs are at least $370 million — 80 percent federally funded.

Background
First conceived during the earliest days of the interstate highway system, the South Belt Freeway was originally viewed by transportation engineers as a major east-west corridor bypassing Grand Rapids, Michigan’s second largest city. In 1979, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) viewed the proposed highway as a component of the state trunkline system in order to relieve congestion in the rapidly growing suburbs. In 1993, an Environment Impact Statement was completed, and the Federal Highway Administration signed the Record of Decision to build the highway.

Status
The state has released $11 million for right of way acquisitions and Governor John Engler announced that $43 million from Michigan’s general fund would be used to start construction of the South Belt. Construction has begun on the first phase of the project, I-96 to M-37.

Problems with the Project

Taxpayer Concerns
A study by MDOT found that the South Belt Freeway’s revised purpose — to connect Lake Michigan shore communities with Lansing in order to ease congestion on the downtown Grand Rapids freeway — was not justified.

The total cost of the South Belt has ballooned from its original estimate of $100 million to at least $370 million. Cost effective alternatives have not received proper consideration. Although money was earmarked to consider "all reasonable alternatives including, but not limited to transportation system management, improvements to existing roadways and expansion of public transportation," only two alternatives were thoroughly analyzed. Those were, a.) Build the South Belt, or, b.) Do not build it. Improving existing east-west routes or using alternative corridors may prove less expensive and more practical.

Local Community Concerns
Local residents have expressed opposition to the project, arguing that alternatives — including comprehensive planning, public transit and improvements to existing roadways — would better serve community needs.

Environmental Concerns
The West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC), has warned that the highway would degrade wetlands, cause storm water runoff problems, chew up hundreds of acres of prime farm land, and promote sprawl.

Traffic on the South Belt would exacerbate air pollution problems in a region that already falls below air quality levels set by the Clean Air Act.

Contacts
Thom Peterson, West Michigan Environmental Action Council, (616) 771-3036; Kelly Thayer, Michigan Land Use Institute, (616) 882-4723, trans@mlui.org .

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