GREEN LIGHT FOR M-139: SIGNAL TO BE INSTALLED JUST NORTH OF US/31 INTERCHANGE

BERRIEN SPRINGS – Michigan Department of Transportation officials  have announced their decision on traffic concerns around the M-139-U.S. 31 interchange near Berrien Springs. A new traffic signal is coming to the Red Bud Trail/Edgewood Drive intersection with M-139 just north of the interchange.
The area has been the scene of numerous accidents over the years, especially with people coming off the southbound U.S. 31 exit and trying to cross three lanes of traffic to head south into Berrien Springs. There have also been accidents and traffic delays at M-139 and Red Bud with people trying to turn onto the highway in both directions.
MDOT officials had suggested a “road diet” this summer which would have reduced the number of lanes on M-139 at the interchange from five to three. Residents and local officials opposed the idea and said it wouldn’t solve the problem motorists have as they exit the freeway.
Oronoko Township Supervisor Mike Hildebrand said MDOT officials cited unfavorable public comments concerning the “road diet” proposal as the major reason for scrapping the plan.
MDOT not only nixed the “road diet” plan but also a proposal to install a traffic signal at the southbound U.S. 31 ramp onto M-139. Hildebrand said officials told him that while traffic delays from people trying to turn left onto southbound M-139 may continue to occur, there is no evidence of crashes there.
In approving a new traffic light at Red Bud/Edgewood and M-139, MDOT officials cited the high traffic volume at the intersection as the main reason for recommending the traffic light. They told Hildebrand that putting a traffic light there could alleviate problems at the U.S. 31 southbound ramp onto M-139.
Hildebrand reported that MDOT officials have told him that funding constraints make it unlikely that the new traffic light will be installed before 2020. “We want to thank MDOT for listening to us and we will work with them to try to find money to do it before 2020,” he said.
He said a new traffic light costs $250,000 as compared to the “road diet” lane changes which would cost around $80,000.
While Oronoko Township officials approved the MDOT decision, they joined the growing number of municipalities opposed to other proposed state action, this time legislation on short-term rentals. The resolution board members approved urges State Sen. John Proos and State Rep. Dave Pagel to vote against Senate Bill 329 and House Bill 4503.
Hildebrand said the proposed legislation takes away local control of zoning and land uses. “This is garbage legislation,” he said. “Local decisions are best made locally, I don’t understand the strong push by the legislature.”
He noted that the short-term rental issue isn’t just one affecting “beach towns” although cities like St. Joseph and South Haven have come out against the legislation. He read a social media post from an acquaintance who lives in the country and raised issues of people trespassing on his property to feed, pet and spook his horses.
Hildebrand likened this legislation to legislation 10 years ago that allowed mining in all zoning districts and legislation in the 1970s that took all local control away from adult foster care homes.