State officials want to hear from residents and visitors about ways to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety on U. S. 31 in downtown Charlevoix. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has made changes to the downtown area in recent years and is pursuing additional improvements to address ongoing concerns. Concerns MDOT has heard in recent years include: Poor visibility at mid-block crossing; Tension between drivers and pedestrians/tourists and locals; Inattentive pedestrians; Drivers not yielding; Delays due to bascule bridge frustrate drivers; Jaywalking; Near misses. Interested parties can fill out an online survey before Jan. 1. Officials plan to host a public meeting in early 2026 to present draft plans for the area. U. S. 31 has already undergone changes in recent years, including the introduction of a center left-turn lane, improvements to signals and crosswalks, and upgrades to the bascule bridge.
https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/11/safety-concerns-a-focus-for-future-us-31-improvements-in-northern-michigan.html