(AP) -- An interstate highway, proposed in six states in the early 1990s, is gaining momentum. But not in Michigan.
It remains unlikely that Michigan would be on board to upgrade its highway system for a corridor that would run from Grayling to Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Michigan, as well as Ohio, abandoned environmental studies on their portions of Interstate 73 in 2001. The interstate highway was proposed to follow U.S. 223 northwest from Toledo to Adrian, then turn north along U.S. 127 through Lansing to Interstate 75. I-73 would then run tandem with Interstate 75 from Grayling north to Sault Ste. Marie. Most of this corridor is already freeway, except for U.S. 223.
Between 1999 and 2001, the Michigan Department of Transportation studied the feasibility of the I-73 corridor. The study wrapped up in December 2001, with a decision not to proceed with I-73 because of a lack of funding and a lack of need along portions of the route.
Various corridors were considered, including an option to route the freeway through Toledo or to send it south on U.S. 127 to the Ohio Turnpike rather than using U.S. 223. In 1999, AASHTO's Route Numbering Subcommittee approved the elimination of U.S. 27 north of Lansing and the designation of U.S. 127 over the same route. By 2001, signs for U.S. 127 appeared on the route. This makes it less likely that Michigan would want to change the designation of this freeway again (to I-73).
Another reason why Interstate 73 was deferred in Michigan was because the State of Ohio also stopped its feasibility study for I-73.
Most of the I-73 corridor in Michigan and Ohio follows existing freeways or highways scheduled to be upgraded to freeways under plans that predate I-73.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is visiting South Carolina to discuss Interstate 73 and other road projects in the state.
LaHood meets in Florence today with U.S. Rep. John Spratt and other lawmakers.
It's a second time a transportation secretary has visited to discuss the highway that will provide the first interstate link to Myrtle Beach. Three years ago, then-Transportation Secretary Mary Peters met with Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Rep. Henry Brown in Myrtle Beach to talk about the project.
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