National Group Pushes Plan for New I-73 Interstate Stretching from Michigan to South Carolina
SOUTH CAROLINA — A proposal to establish a new interstate highway connecting Michigan to South Carolina is gaining renewed attention, as a national group and state officials weigh its impact on travel, commerce, and local communities.
I-73 Proposal Revives Longstanding Transportation Vision
The I-73 Corridor Association, a national organization, is reigniting efforts to develop a major north-south interstate called I-73. The proposed route would begin in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and extend all the way to South Carolina, serving as a key transportation corridor across several states.
In Michigan, the route would convert U.S. Route 127 — which currently stretches from the Upper Peninsula to the Ohio border — into a federally designated interstate.
Although the idea has existed for years, interest is resurging as the Ohio Department of Transportation has begun surveying the potential feasibility of the project.
Public Reaction Mixed in Mid-Michigan
In St. Johns and surrounding areas, residents and business owners have mixed feelings about the potential upgrade.
Ed Kocher, a frequent traveler from Traverse City to suburban Pittsburgh, said the interstate would be a welcome improvement over current conditions. “People from downstate and other states love to go north,” Kocher said. “You can come up on US-127, but it’s got issues because of the farm traffic.”
Some segments of US-127, especially through towns like St. Johns, experience slower traffic flow, creating bottlenecks for long-distance drivers.
Local Businesses Express Concern Over Construction Impact
While drivers may support the idea, local business owners are wary. Brian Phillips, co-president of Phillips Orchard and Cider Mill, says the highway project could put his historic sixth-generation family business at risk.
“Our building here is so close to the highway,” Phillips explained. “It’s a historic old barn. We can’t just recreate that.”
He also pointed out that the fall season is the orchard’s busiest time. “We do an enormous percentage of our business in two months,” Phillips said. “If we have a disruption during that time period, it could be a significant financial impact.”
MDOT Not Onboard — For Now
Despite the increased interest, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) stated that I-73 is not currently included in their short- or long-term infrastructure planning. The department emphasized that its priority remains maintaining existing roads and bridges, not expanding new highway systems.
That stance leaves the I-73 Corridor Association without immediate state-level momentum, though advocacy efforts and feasibility studies in Ohio and other states could influence future decisions.
A Broader Vision with Local Consequences
If realized, Interstate 73 would create a continuous highway corridor from northern Michigan to South Carolina — a move that could boost interstate commerce, tourism, and long-distance travel. However, it would also require navigating significant logistical, environmental, and local business concerns.
For now, the project remains a concept under evaluation, awaiting more concrete action from state and federal agencies.
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