BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) — Battle Creek city commissioners chose between two options regarding the future of I-194. Instead of repaving or routine maintenance, the end goal is a complete reconstruction.
The four-mile stretch of I-194 connecting downtown Battle Creek to I-94 is one of the busiest freeways in the county with 24,400 vehicles every day, according to MDOT. The decision before Battle Creek city commissioners Tuesday night did not deal with funding or anything of that nature. Instead, it centered on a resolution supporting one of those two options using findings from a recent Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study.
In an 8-1 vote, Battle Creek City Commissioners passed a resolution supporting replacement option one, an in-kind freeway with grade-separated intersections. It is essentially the same configuration as I-194 is now — only the pavement, bridges and intersections are built brand-new. However, it is more expensive to build up front and to maintain year-over-year, with an $189 million price tag in 2024 dollars, according to MDOT spokesman Nick Schirripa.