MARSHALL — The Michigan Department of Transportation will discuss proposed road improvements aimed at accommodating new business growth in the city during a series of public open houses next week.
The public sessions will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at the Marshall Department of Public Works building, 900 S. Marshall Ave. MDOT will offer an overview of area environmental studies at these sessions, including the project timeline and upcoming activities.
MDOT is proposing infrastructure improvement alternatives along M-96 (Michigan Avenue) between M-311 (11 Mile Road) and I-69, and converting the existing two-lane road to a boulevard from 11 Mile Road to I-69. There also will be proposed improvement alternatives at the interchanges of 11 Mile Road and Michigan Avenue, I-94 and 11 Mile Road (I-94 Exit 104) and Michigan Avenue and I-69 (I-69 Exit 36).
These proposed improvements will accommodate expected growth in activity around the Marshall Area Jobs, Opportunities, and Recreation (MAJOR) Campus, which will include Ford Motor Co.'s electric vehicle battery plant, BlueOval Battery Park Michigan. In total, the MAJOR Campus covers nearly 2,000 acres west of the city and is expected to be home to other future businesses.
MDOT is seeking public input throughout the study. Those interested can share comments via an online comment form . Comments may also be submitted to Monica Monsma, MDOT Environmental Services Section, by phone at (517) 335-4381 or email at MonsmaM@Michigan.gov .
Construction of Ford's EV battery plant continues, with production of lithium iron phosphate batteries expected to begin at the facility in 2026. A group of area residents, meanwhile, is challenging rezoning tied to the battery plant.
In March, the Michigan Court of Appeals granted the Committee for Marshall - Not the Megasite's motion to expedite its appeal in its case against the city of Marshall, City Clerk Michelle Eubank and the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance. Committee members originally filed the lawsuit last year , arguing the city and Eubank inappropriately rejected their petition seeking a citywide vote on Ordinance # 2023-08 — which effectively rezones 741 acres of the Marshall Megasite in support of the Ford project.
A hearing is scheduled for June 6. The court is expected to hear arguments on the merits of the committee’s appeal as well as arguments on whether the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Strategic Fund can intervene in the case.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: MDOT to discuss Marshall road improvements tied to new business growth next week
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