Benton Harbor, MI - US-31 Extension & I-94 EB to Kalamazoo

Quick look at US-31 extension to I-94 in Benton Harbor, Michigan and driving eastbound I-94 to Kalamazoo, Michigan.

**Please do not randomly drive into work zones if you have no business doing so. It is dangerous for both yourself and the workers.**

Music & Artist:
1. Roosevelt - Night Moves
2. Roosevelt - Last To Know

Date Recorded:
8/20/2021

Technical Stuff:
Camera: Sony ZV-1
Tripod: Sunpak 6000PG
Car: 2008 Chevy Impala
Driver: Edward
Video editing software: Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Picture editing software: Photoshop CC

[furnitureconsortium]

The original idea for that route was to go due north to meet at the I-196 / I-94 Interchange, which would have made more sense as US-31 continues along I-196 to Holland. Would have made for less construction that way as well. But, if they had pursued that, I'm sure it would have been in purgatory for another ten years or so.

Good thing no cops saw you messing around on the future highway because they could write you a ticket for that!

I did the same thing though when the M-6 Freeway was being built in Grand Rapids back in the early 2000's. The second section (Broadmoor Ave (E.Beltline) to US-131 was just about completed and it was days away from being opened. I slipped onto the freeway in the middle of the night just to drive it and got off at Kalamazoo Ave. (last exit before the highway stopped at US-131. I was extremely lucky that there were no MSP out. I wasn't speeding down it or anything, I was just cruising along at about 45 MPH just checking out the sights. There were a few who were caught on that road speeding and got hefty fines for both the speed and for being on an illegal road, lol.

[KylesDigitalLab]

5:08 It sucks that they demolished the Highland Avenue bridge. That was one of the only surviving overpasses on I-94 with original R4-type railings without any modern junk added. It was built in 1960 when they put the freeway in.

Also, I hope one day they widen the freeway from all the way from Indiana to Detroit to a 3 lanes per direction

[GreatAussieDrives]

Great video with a great soundtrack. And Kalamazoo is now one of my favourite place names in the world, lol. You have yourself a new subscriber from Australia 😊

[brainwells]

When MDOT is going to build a tunnel from Michigan to Illinois under the lake

[NWIndianaElevators]

Great video! I have been waiting for these projects for a while, and it's great to see them being built right now and in person! :)
The one that I am most excited to drive on is the US 31 extension to I-94 (as well as finally clinching the St. Joesph Valley Parkway in full)!

[AsphaltPlanet]

Neat, it was really neat to see the construction for the US-31 extension. I'm pleased to see that project is actually being constructed, I never thought they'd actually get it done.

That's neat about the old US-12 pavement. I remember supervising a watermain installation job on a road in Cambridge here in Ontario. The road was a former alignment of Hwy 24, and still had the old twin slab concrete pavement beneath the current asphalt. It was pretty time consuming for the contractor to remove the 80 year old concrete pavement to install the watermain.

How is the reconstruction of 94 progressing through Jackson?

[Boogiest]

that was an awesome, interesting way to start the video! Loved how it transitioned into this CLASSIC song! Hope all is well man! Glad to see you're still making content!

[turtlegrl]

I’m glad they are finally finishing that project. That unfinished section of 31 always seemed so eerie to me for some reason. Like something from a zombie apocalypse movie 😂

[povertyspec]

They didn't even build a true freeway to freeway interchange at I-94/US 31, LOL.

[povertyspec]

Michigan's traffic signals are obsolete! Old-fashioned design with span wires, signal heads not centered with the lanes, no reflectorized backplates, etc.

[CrystalClearWithBE]

I-94 near with US 31 and I-196 still have widenibg to do. I wonder when it will be done.
Edit: As well as the one in Kalamazoo.