Picture Michigan

If I may humbly dissent... I think the shot (that is, the angle) is rather timeless. Perhaps it's easy for us to be bored with it, especially since collectively, we probably prefer something with more density, like the example given earlier, driving SB I-75 through the gritty urban landscape of Dayton. I mean no disrespect to the shooter of the photo you posted, but on a technical and compositional level, it is not really that great of a shot. Just my opinion. - Jon (here's a shot from the same angle I did up for the back cover of a privately distributed book)

The Chattanooga situation is unique because of terrain. Mountains. US-131 to I-67? AMEN!! An ideal situation would be a bypass for US-31 south of TC, joining an extended US-131/I-67, then meeting up with I-75 before the straits. (there are some that say the US-31 bypass south of TC is a waste, no doubt by those that have never driving through TC in the summer) Not sure how it happened, but US-131 is a spur off US-31. US-31 is the "main" artery. And yes, I agree, US-131 should go all the way to Indy, or at least connecting with I-69 near Anderson. I'm sure the state and local governments in and around Indy would cooperate with this idea. Grand Rapids is indeed unique for the lower 48. It's is the only major city sitting on a major interstate (two digit) that never leaves the state. As for light rail: trains are a lot more expensive to operate, and can hold many more passengers. To justify cost, I foresee something running every 30 minutes in GR. Just my opinion based on life as I see it.

I think you're putting a little too much romance in commuting and trains. Like Risky Business? If I'm with Rebecca DeMornay, then I don't know if I would take the stairs or an elevator. Even light rail in GR will not be as nice as we want it. Trains will not run every 10 to 15 minutes like in Chicago or NYC. And I mostly cannot see anything fun about commuting, no matter what conduit.

It's my understanding that part of this deal includes a line from DT GR to the airport and extending US-131 to Indiana. If something actually does happen on US-131 south of Portage, something will need to be done with the US-131/I-94 interchange. And that goes without mentioning three lanes of I-94 between US-131 and I-69. Oops, I just mentioned it. But perhaps an extended US-131 would offset the need of an I-94 widening. Light rail between GRR and downtown? A good start! Make it a system between GRR and Grand Haven, through downtown GR and Allendale, and we have a great start!

um, it's also a school. Maybe the sixth graders are doing cancer research in the lab? Cigarette smoking monkeys! (did I just say that out loud???)

Looks like the JW Marriott, but with higher room rates? )

I grew up at the church and school. I've heard it was on again, then off again, then on again ... etc., you get the picture. The plans look nice. Memories: playing kickball in the small parking lot and having to chase the ball down Michigan Hill on a foul. DOH! Also, recollections of the State building going up and blocking the view of the Calder. I was in the VIA a couple months ago, and it was odd looking down at the school, noting the alley is no longer there.