Montague, MI — August 21, 2025
Initial planning discussions are underway for a potential roadway project along the US-31 Business Route (BR) from White River north to Stanton Street in the City of Montague. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) hosted a public information meeting on August 21 at Montague City Hall to gather early community feedback and share conceptual ideas.
This meeting marked the first step in what will be a multi-year planning and engagement process, with the project tentatively scheduled for construction in 2027. No final decisions have been made, and MDOT emphasized that community input will play a significant role in shaping what the project ultimately looks like.
What’s Being Considered?
The proposed work, estimated at $1.58 million, is currently focused on:
- Hot mix asphalt cold milling and resurfacing
- Concrete joint repairs
- Structure cover repairs
- Potential roadway reconfiguration
The resurfacing would include replacing roughly 3.5 inches of the roadway’s surface. While MDOT’s base scope is straightforward, the City of Montague has opened the conversation to broader enhancements—such as a lane reduction, new parking configurations, and bike infrastructure—that could be incorporated into the design depending on public interest and funding.
Four Lanes to Three? Safety and Functionality at the Center
One major idea under consideration is converting the existing four-lane road into a three-lane configuration, with two through lanes and a center turn lane. This potential “road diet” is based on traffic analysis that suggests current volumes do not require four lanes. MDOT representatives noted that a three-lane format can:
- Reduce crashes, particularly side-swipes
- Create safer left-turn opportunities
- Improve pedestrian crossing safety
- Provide space for on-street parking or bike lanes
Some conceptual sketches also showed parking options and discussions around buffered bike lanes for improved cyclist safety. However, officials repeatedly stressed that no designs are finalized—everything is still subject to revision based on community input.
Still Time to Get Involved
If you missed the August 21 meeting, you still have a say. This is just the beginning of public engagement, and future meetings will be scheduled as the planning progresses.
Why Now?
The City of Montague approached MDOT about revisiting the roadway layout during the next scheduled resurfacing opportunity. The goal is to determine whether the corridor can better serve the community—not just in terms of traffic flow, but also safety, parking, and multimodal access.
This early public input will help guide MDOT as it prepares to begin the formal design phase sometime in 2026. Nothing is set in stone, and officials made it clear that this won’t be the only opportunity for residents to get involved.
CatchMark Community will continue covering this story as it develops.
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