By Staff
LANSING -- Following months of deliberation, public input and negotiations, state Sen. Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks, on Monday hailed the agreement between the Republican-controlled Legislature and the Granholm administration, which will recommend the restoration of previously deferred funding for Berrien County's US-31, Napier Avenue to I-94 project.
Earlier this year, Gov. Granholm vetoed funding for 34 road improvement projects across the state, including the US 31 project.
The administration's willingness to include the project came following intense budget negotiations between the Governor and Legislative leadership, with Senator Jelinek holding firm on the inclusion of this project.
The US-31, Napier Avenue to I-94 project is the final leg of a new limited access freeway. The project is in the final stages of the environmental clearance process.
The new freeway leading to Napier Avenue is currently under construction and will be open to traffic on Monday, Aug. 18.
Napier Avenue is the temporary connection between US-31 and I-94, which has been widened to meet the current and future traffic needs.