WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Michigan Department of Transportation officials said they are close to announcing details related to a number of safety measures on a 12-mile stretch of U.S. 131 in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties.
MDOT spokesman Nick Schirripa said the agency has long sought to improve safety on the north-south route, and the upgrade will include measures that likely would have prevented a collision last week that killed an elderly couple.
The collision occurred as an eastbound vehicle on West XY Avenue attempted to cross the southbound U.S. 131 lane. The victims’ vehicle was struck by a car whose driver was suspected of speeding and driving under the influence.
Schirripa said the work will include the installation of so-called Michigan-left turns and cover an area from Shaver Road in Kalamazoo County to M-216 in Park Township.
The couple that were killed because of a speeding impaired driver. Not because of the intersection. This is just another waste of precious taxpayer money. It will not make the highway safer, in fact it often does the opposite.