View source for St. Joseph Valley Parkway

{{short description|Freeway in Indiana and Michigan}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox road
|country=USA
|name=St. Joseph Valley Parkway
|map={{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=250|frame-lat=41.853|frame-long=-86.127|zoom=9|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/St. Joseph Valley Parkway}}}}
|map_custom=yes
|map_notes=St. Joseph Valley&nbsp;Parkway highlighted in red
|maint=[[Indiana Department of Transportation|INDOT]], [[Michigan Department of Transportation|MDOT]]
|length_mi=56.34
|length_ref=<ref name=length group=lower-alpha>Total mileage is a summation of the state mileages.</ref>
|allocation={{plainlist|1=
*{{jct|state=IN|US|20}} from [[Elkhart, Indiana|Elkhart, IN]] to [[South Bend, Indiana|South Bend, IN]]
*{{jct|country=USA|US|31}} from South Bend, IN to near [[Benton Harbor, Michigan|Benton Harbor, MI]] }}
|direction_a=East
|terminus_a={{jct|state=IN|US|20}} near [[Elkhart, Indiana|Elkhart, IN]]
|junction={{plainlist|1=
*{{jct|state=IN|US|31}} in [[South Bend, Indiana|South Bend, IN]]
*{{jct|state=IN|US|20}} in South Bend, IN
*{{jct|state=IN|I|80|I|90|Toll}} in South Bend, IN
*{{jct|state=MI|US|12}} near [[Niles, Michigan|Niles, MI]] }}
|direction_b=North
|terminus_b={{jct|state=MI|I|94}} near [[Benton Harbor, Michigan|Benton Harbor, MI]]
|established=
|states=[[Indiana]], [[Michigan]]
|counties='''IN:''' [[Elkhart County, Indiana|Elkhart]], [[St. Joseph County, Indiana|St. Joseph]] '''MI:''' [[Berrien County, Michigan|Berrien]]
|system1={{infobox road/browselinks/USA|type=US}}
|system2={{infobox road/browselinks/USA|state=IN}}
|system3={{infobox road/browselinks/USA|state=MI}}
}}
The '''St. Joseph Valley Parkway''' is a [[freeway]] in the U.S. states of [[Indiana]] and [[Michigan]], serving as a [[bypass route]] around [[Elkhart, Indiana|Elkhart]], [[Mishawaka, Indiana|Mishawaka]], and [[South Bend, Indiana|South Bend]] in Indiana and [[Niles, Michigan|Niles]] in Michigan. The freeway runs to the south and west of Elkhart and South Bend and Niles and consists of segments of [[U.S. Route 31]] (US&nbsp;31) and [[U.S. Route 20|US&nbsp;20]]; those two highway designations [[Concurrency (road)|run concurrently]] at the southwestern rim of the South Bend metropolitan area. It continues north to run along the [[St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)|St. Joseph River]] valley.

The freeway was first built in Indiana in the 1960s, although plans in Michigan date back to the 1950s. Indiana completed its portion of the freeway in 1992, while Michigan opened its last segment in 2022.

==Route description==
{{see also|U.S. Route 20 in Indiana|U.S. Route 31 in Indiana|U.S. Route 31 in Michigan}}
The Parkway begins where [[U.S. Route 20 in Indiana|US&nbsp;20]] expands to a [[divided highway]] southeast of Elkhart. To the east in Indiana the freeway feeds into an undivided segment of US&nbsp;20 at [[County Road 17 (Elkhart County, Indiana)|County Road 17]] (CR&nbsp;17). From there it runs westward along the south sides of Elkhart and Mishawaka. South of South Bend, [[U.S. Route 31 in Indiana|US&nbsp;31]] joins the Parkway, and then the Parkway turns northward along the west side of South Bend. Along this segment, US&nbsp;20 turns back west and leaves the Parkway. The Parkway meets the [[Indiana Toll Road]] which carries [[Interstate 80|I-80]]/[[Interstate 90|I-90]] before crossing the state line into Michigan.<ref name="INDOT09-10">{{cite map |author = [[Indiana Department of Transportation]] |title = Indiana Transportation Map |year = 2009 |edition = 2009–10 |location = Indianapolis |publisher = Indiana Department of Transportation |sections = A6–A8 }}</ref> West of Niles, the Parkway meets [[U.S. Route 12 in Michigan|US&nbsp;12]] and continues northwesterly running west of [[Berrien Springs, Michigan|Berrien Springs]]. From there it runs northward to end at [[Interstate 94 in Michigan|I-94]] east of [[Benton Harbor, Michigan|Benton Harbor]].<ref name="herald_palladium_2022">{{cite news |first = Juliana |last = Knot |title = Upton, Whitmer Commemorate Newly Extended U.S.&nbsp;31 Project |url = https://www.heraldpalladium.com/communities/benton_harbor/upton-whitmer-commemorate-newly-extended-u-s-31-project/article_d23e33b9-c121-53e6-9e4b-f89308a8d3cb.html | url-access = subscription |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = September 27, 2022 |access-date = September 27, 2022 }}</ref>

The [[Indiana Department of Transportation]] (INDOT) and the [[Michigan Department of Transportation]] (MDOT) both maintain the sections of the St. Joseph Valley Parkway in their respective states. Additionally, both departments have listed their freeway segments as part of the [[National Highway System (United States)|National Highway System]], a system of roads important to the nation's economy, defense, and mobility.<ref name=NHS-SB>{{cite map |url = http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/nhs/maps/in/southbend_in.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081017000952/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/nhs/maps/in/southbend_in.pdf |url-status = dead |archive-date = October 17, 2008 |title = National Highway System: South Bend Indiana |author = [[Federal Highway Administration]] |location = Washington, DC |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |date = March 5, 2010 |access-date = November 23, 2010 |format = PDF }}</ref><ref name="NHS">{{cite map |title = National Highway System, Michigan |date = April 23, 2006 |author = Michigan Department of Transportation |url = http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MDOT_NHS_Statewide_150626_7.pdf |format = PDF |location = Lansing |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |access-date = October 7, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141006073353/http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MDOT_NHS_Statewide_150626_7.pdf |archive-date = October 6, 2014 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The two departments conduct surveys to measure the traffic levels along their roadways. This measurement is expressed in terms of [[annual average daily traffic]] (AADT) which is a calculation of the traffic volume on a stretch of roadway for any average day of the year. INDOT's figures for 2007 showed that 30,753&nbsp;vehicles used the freeway near its western end. The traffic volume drops to 19,914&nbsp;vehicles near the Indiana Toll Road.<ref name=IN-AADT>{{cite web |author = Indiana Department of Transportation |url = http://dotmaps.indot.in.gov/apps/trafficcounts/ |title = Indiana Average Daily Traffic and Commercial Vehicles |publisher = Indiana Department of Transportation |year = 2007 |access-date = November 23, 2010 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110505203005/http://dotmaps.indot.in.gov/apps/trafficcounts/ |archive-date = May 5, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref> In Michigan, the levels drop as low as 7,402&nbsp;vehicles near the Napier Road interchange.<ref name="TMIS">{{cite web |author = Bureau of Transportation Planning |url = http://mdotnetpublic.state.mi.us/tmispublic/ |title = Traffic Monitoring Information System |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |year = 2008 |access-date = November 20, 2010 }}</ref>

==History==

===Name===
The "St. Joseph Valley Parkway" name was chosen by local [[Chamber of commerce|chambers of commerce]] in the fall of 1992 as the result of a local contest held by a group of local businesses. The name was officially adopted by Michigan in 1993 (dedicated late 1995) and Indiana in 1995 (dedicated in mid-1995).<ref>{{cite book |title = A Drive Down Memory Lane: The Named State and Federal Highways of Michigan |last = Barnett |first = LeRoy |year = 2004 |publisher = The Priscilla Press |location = Allegan Forest, Michigan |isbn = 1-886167-24-9 |oclc = 57425393 |page = 196 }}</ref><ref name=sbt19950726>{{cite news |first = Bruce |last = Von Deylen |title = Bypass Is Now Parkway |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29779309/bypass_is_now_parkway/ |work = [[South Bend Tribune]] |date = July 26, 1995 |page = B3 |oclc = 8793233 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |access-date = March 21, 2019 }}</ref>

===Indiana section===
There had been a southern bypass of the South Bend and Elkhart areas planned since the 1930s.<ref name = sbt1979>{{cite news |first = Ray M. Jr. |last = Leuaert |title = Transportation Projects Milestones: US&nbsp;31 Bypass Opens; Interchange Work Starts |date = August 10, 1979 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29778787/transportation_projects_milestones/ |work = South Bend Tribune |page = 1 |oclc = 8793233 |via = Newspapers.com |access-date = March 21, 2019 }}</ref> The first section of the highway, started in 1958 as Bypass US&nbsp;20 (BYP US&nbsp;20), was completed between [[U.S. Route 20 in Indiana|US&nbsp;20]] and Mayflower Road (at the time [[List of former state highways in Indiana (1–199)#State Road 123|State Road&nbsp;123]]) on September 19, 1963.<ref>{{cite news |title = Long-Awaited Bypass Open to Traffic |date = June 19, 1963  |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29778476/longawaited_bypass_open_to_traffic/ |work = South Bend Tribune |at = § 2, p. 25 |oclc = 8793233 |via = Newspapers.com |access-date = March 21, 2019 }}</ref> The freeway was extended to just past the [[Indiana State Road 23|SR&nbsp;23]] interchange in late Summer 1965,<ref>{{cite news |first = Jack |last = Colwell |title = Need Survey for Bypass |date = October 20, 1965  |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29778513/need_survey_for_bypass/ |work = South Bend Tribune |at = § 2, p. 57 |oclc = 8793233 |via = Newspapers.com |access-date = March 21, 2019 }}<!-- September 1 article shows final paving but there doesn't seem to be mention after that; officially to Locust Road but that was end of pavement --></ref> then further east to [[U.S. Route 31|US&nbsp;31]], that section opening on December 15, 1967.<ref>{{cite news |title = Last Segment of Bypass to Open Friday |date = December 14, 1967  |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29778551/last_segment_of_bypass_to_open_friday/ |work = South Bend Tribune |at = § 2, p. 37 |oclc = 8793233 |via = Newspapers.com |access-date = March 21, 2019 }}</ref> The BYP US&nbsp;20 designation was replaced by the US&nbsp;31 designation in 1978.<ref>{{AASHTO minutes |year = 1978A |page = 2 |access-date = October 15, 2018 |v-link = yes |link = yes }}</ref> The exit with the Indiana East–West Toll Road/I-80/I-90 was built beginning in 1979 in conjunction with the northern extension to Michigan.<ref name = sbt1979/> Construction in the early 1990s extended the freeway in sections from US&nbsp;31/[[U.S. Route 31 Business (South Bend, Indiana)|Business US&nbsp;31]] (Bus. US&nbsp;31) to its current end with US&nbsp;20 at [[County Road 17 (Elkhart County, Indiana)|CR&nbsp;17]], with the portion from US&nbsp;31/Bus. US&nbsp;31 to [[Indiana State Road 19|SR&nbsp;19]] opening on December 11, 1991,<ref>{{cite news |first = Dave |last = Rumbach |title = Bypass Quickly Proves Worth: Less Stress |date = December 12, 1991 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29778597/bypass_quickly_proves_worth_less_stress/ |work = South Bend Tribune |page = C1 |oclc = 8793233 |via = Newspapers.com |access-date = March 21, 2019 }}</ref> and the portion from there to CR&nbsp;17 opening on October 9, 1992.<ref>{{cite news |first = Jeff |last = Kurowski |title = US&nbsp;20 Bypass Opens Officially |date = October 10, 1992 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29778646/us_20_bypass_opens_officially/ |work = South Bend Tribune |page = A5 |oclc = 8793233 |via = Newspapers.com |access-date = March 21, 2019 }}</ref> Ramps from Nimtz Parkway were opened November 3, 1997,<ref>{{cite news |title = Interchange Linking Three Highways Opens |date = November 3, 1997 |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29778670/interchange_linking_three_highways_opens/ |work = South Bend Tribune |page = B2 |oclc = 8793233 |via = Newspapers.com |access-date = March 21, 2019 }}</ref> and the portion in Elkhart was also named the "Dean R. Mock Expressway" in March 2002.<ref name="indot">{{cite web |author = Indiana Department of Transportation |title = Memorial Highways and Bridges |publisher = Indiana Department of Transportation |url = http://www.in.gov/indot/3005.htm |access-date = October 28, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101215222524/http://www.in.gov/indot/3005.htm |archive-date = December 15, 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first = Martin |last = DeAgostino |title = Retiring Lawmaker Rides Road to Fame |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29778700/retiring_lawmaker_rides_road_to_fame/ |work = South Bend Tribune |date = March 21, 2002 |access-date = March 21, 2019 |pages = D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29778743/retiring_lawmaker_part_2/ D2] |oclc = 8793233 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref>

===Michigan section===
A plan to relocate US&nbsp;31 in Berrien County, Michigan, existed as early as 1952.<ref name=hp1952>{{cite news |first = Scott |last = Aiken |title = US&nbsp;31 Construction: End of the Road in Sight |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25089149/us_31_construction_end_of_the_road/ |work = [[The Herald-Palladium]] |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = September 1, 2002 |pages = 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25089189/us_31_construction_part_2/ 12A] |oclc = 34793533 |access-date = November 2, 2018 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> Planning to extend the South Bend Bypass northward into Michigan to I-96 (later I-196) began in 1962.<ref name=np19640502>{{cite news|title=State Charts New US&nbsp;31 Freeway Route|date=May 2, 1964|work=[[The Herald-Palladium|The News-Palladium]]|location=[[Benton Harbor, Michigan|Benton Harbor, MI]]|page=22<!-- https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/364594982/ -->}}</ref> A report issued in 1970 detailed four routing corridors, spawning a lawsuit over how Berrien Springs would be bypassed. Construction was to begin in 1975, but the [[Michigan Department of Transportation|Michigan State Highways Department]] delayed construction plans in 1972, pushing the start to 1977. The first section, running from the state line north to US&nbsp;12, was completed and dedicated August 10, 1979,<ref>{{cite news |title = US&nbsp;31 Dedicated |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25088256/us_31_dedicated/ |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = August 11, 1979 |page = 13 |oclc = 34793533 |access-date = November 2, 2018 |via = Newspapers.com }}<!-- Other articles state that US 12 ramps were not complete so this section didn't open to traffic then --></ref> and opened to traffic by September 6 of that year.<ref>{{cite news |title = US&nbsp;31 Work |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25088309/us_31_work/ |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = September 6, 1979 |page = 15 |oclc = 34793533 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> From there, US&nbsp;31 was routed east along US&nbsp;12 to [[U.S. Route 12 Business (Niles, Michigan)|Bus. US&nbsp;12]] and north along Bus. US&nbsp;12 to the former routing of US&nbsp;31/[[U.S. Route 33 in Michigan|US 33]].<ref>{{cite news |first = Scott |last = Aiken |title = MDOT Plans Route Changes For Berrien |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25088375/mdot_plans_route_changes_for_berrien/ |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = March 27, 1986 |page = 19 |oclc = 34793533 |access-date = November 2, 2018 |via = Newspapers.com }}<!-- --><!-- Agrees with signage but disagrees with AASHTO which assigned 31 along 12 to old 31/33/current M-51/11th St --></ref> Final plans for the routing north to I-94 were approved in 1981.<ref>{{cite book |title = US&nbsp;31 Relocation, Matthew Road to I-94, Berrien County |type = Environmental impact statement |author1 = Michigan Department of Transportation |author2 = Federal Highway Administration |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=caQ1AQAAMAAJ |date = June 9, 1981 |location = Washington, DC |publisher = Federal Highway Administration |access-date = March 3, 2019 |id = FHWA-MI-EIS-78-02-F }}</ref> The Niles bypass section was opened August 16, 1987,<ref>{{cite news |first = Norma |last = Payne |title = 2,000 Celebrate Opening of New US&nbsp;31 Section |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25088427/2000_celebrate_opening_of_new_us_31/ |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = August 17, 1987 |page = 17 |oclc = 34793533 |access-date = November 2, 2018 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> bringing the freeway north to Walton Road northwest of Niles. [[U.S. Route 31 Business (Niles, Michigan)|Bus. US&nbsp;31]] was created<!-- Never recognized by AASHTO per minutes archive --> along the former routing in Niles and Walton Road was rebuilt as a state trunkline connection between the northern end of the freeway and the former two-lane routing of US&nbsp;31.<ref>{{cite news |title = Berrien Road Project Bids Due in Lansing |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25088481/berrien_road_project_bids_due_in_lansing/ |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = June 7, 1986 |page = 7 |oclc = 34793533 |access-date = November 2, 2018 |via = Newspapers.com }}<!-- See also various articles from 1978–1980 --></ref> The Berrien Springs bypass section was opened in late 1992,<ref name=snarls>{{cite news |url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19930314&id=zKAaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kiwEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3466,4143076 |title = Michigan Butterfly Snarls US&nbsp;31 Traffic |work = [[Milwaukee Journal]] |department = Science Notebook |page = J2 |date = March 14, 1993 |access-date = December 8, 2013 |via = [[Google News]] |issn = 1052-4452 |oclc = 298956108 }}<!-- Still need this ref? --></ref> the southbound lanes opening on October 23 and the northbound on November 20.<ref>{{cite news |first = Jim |last = Dalgleish |title = Berrien Springs' Burden Lifted: Northbound Bypass Open |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25088771/berries_springs_burden_lifted/ |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = November 20, 1992 |page = 1A |oclc = 34793533 |access-date = November 2, 2018 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> As a cost-saving measure, this section was initially an [[Limited-access road|expressway]] with crossroads,<ref>{{cite news |first = Scott |last = Aiken |title = Contract Awarded for New US&nbsp;31 Bridges |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25088824/contract_awarded_for_new_us_31_bridges/ |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = March 11, 1998 |page = 2B |oclc = 34793533 |access-date = November 2, 2018 |via = Newspapers.com }}<!-- OR: This had Michigan lefts, could be verified with old aerials --></ref> and was converted to a freeway in stages through 1999.<ref>{{cite news |first = Scott |last = Aiken |title = $23 Million in Road Repairs Under Way |url =  https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25088870/23_million_in_road_reports_under_way/ |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = April 13, 1998 |page = 1C |oclc =  34793533 |access-date =  November 2, 2018 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref> Since then, MDOT built a {{convert|9.1|mi|km|adj=on}} freeway segment north to Napier Avenue that was opened on August 27, 2003 at a cost of $97 million (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US-GDP|97000000|2003|r=0}}}} in {{inflation-year|US-GDP}}{{Inflation-fn|US-GDP|name-list-style=amp}}).<ref name=hp>{{cite news |first = Scott |last = Aiken |title = 'Ready for a Freeway': New Section of US&nbsp;31 Highway Finally Opens |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25088611/ready_for_a_freeway_new_section_of/ |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = August 28, 2003 |pages = 1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25088661/ready_for_a_freeway_part_2/ 8A] |oclc = 34793533 |access-date = November 2, 2018 |via = Newspapers.com }}</ref><ref name=mdot2003-08-27>{{cite press release |url = http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9620_11057-74161--,00.html |title = US&nbsp;31 in Berrien County Opens Today! |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |first = Julie A. |last = Martin |date = August 27, 2003 |access-date = March 26, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111225204007/https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0%2C4616%2C7-151-9620_11057-74161--%2C00.html |archive-date = December 25, 2011 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}</ref> A proposed spur westward to I-94 in the [[Stevensville, Michigan|Stevensville]] area was never built.<ref name=np19640502/>

====Extension to I-94====
[[File:Mitchell's Satyr butterfly.jpg|thumb|right|Mitchell's satyr]]
East of [[Benton Harbor, Michigan]], the St. Joseph Valley Parkway extension was under study due to environmental, economical and historical site issues. One of the environmental concerns relates to the habitat of an endangered species, the [[Mitchell's satyr]] butterfly that has its habitat in the area of the freeway extension.<ref name=when-oh-when>{{cite news |first = Scott |last = Aiken |date = October 20, 2013 |title = When, Oh When, Will 31 Be Done? MDOT Says Linking the Freeway to I-94 East of Benton Harbor Is Years Away |url = http://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/local/when-oh-when-will-be-done/article_9f00c358-d14f-5715-b296-f5b77fb7bf2c.html |work = [[The Herald-Palladium]] |location = Benton Harbor, Michigan |access-date = November 13, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131024062310/http://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/local/when-oh-when-will-be-done/article_9f00c358-d14f-5715-b296-f5b77fb7bf2c.html |archive-date = October 24, 2013 |url-status = live |df = mdy-all }}</ref> The {{convert|40|acre|ha|adj=on}} habitat is home to the second-largest population of the rare butterfly.<ref name=greenberg>{{cite book |last = Greenberg |first = Joel |year = 2004 |title = A Natural History of the Chicago Region |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=OXA1VVOSUg4C&pg=PA302 |location = Chicago |publisher = University of Chicago Press |pages = 302–3 |access-date = December 8, 2013 |via = [[Google Books]] |isbn = 978-0-2263-0648-3 |oclc = 48803715 }}</ref> This freeway connection was originally approved in 1981 as part of a final environmental impact study that included the freeway built from Niles northward to Napier Avenue.<ref>{{cite book |author = Project Planning Division |chapter-url = http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Section_1_96024_7.0_Summary_of_the_1981_FEIS.pdf |chapter = Section&nbsp;1.0 Summary of the 1981 Final Environmental Impact Statement for the US&nbsp; 31 Freeway in Berrien County |url = http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9621_11058_53088_53099-96829--,00.html |title = Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to the 1981 Final Environmental Impact Statement, Proposed US&nbsp;31 Freeway Connection to I-94 |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |date = April 2004 |page = 1-1 |format = PDF }}</ref> Since that approval, the butterfly was discovered in the Blue Creek Fen in the late 1980s,<ref name=fseis4/> and it was listed an endangered species in 1992. The listing stalled construction of the freeway north of Berrien Springs.<ref name=snarls/> The [[US Fish and Wildlife Service]] (USFWS) issued an opinion two years later that the freeway project would jeopardize the species.<ref name=fseis4/> MDOT was given permission to modify the previously approved freeway to cross the Blue Creek on longer bridges; the USFWS also required that any construction be done from elevated platforms,<ref>{{cite news |title = Bridge OK Could Save a Butterfly |work = [[Chicago Tribune]] |agency = [[Knight-Ridder]] |url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/04/24/bridge-ok-could-save-a-butterfly/ |date = April 24, 1994 |access-date = December 8, 2013 }}</ref> among other restrictions.<ref name=greenberg/> In the interim, MDOT proceeded with construction of the southern portion of the last freeway segment, completing the freeway northward from Berrien Springs to the Napier Avenue interchange in August 2003.<ref name=hp/>

[[File:BL I-94 east and US 31 south at I-94 - Benton Charter Twp, MI - October 2025.jpg|thumb|The newest section of the Parkway at an interchange with I-94/BL I-94]]
A revised environmental impact study to account for the butterfly's habitat was approved in 2004.<ref name=fseis4>{{cite book |author = Project Planning Division |chapter-url = http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Section_4_96027_7.0_Affected_Environment.pdf |chapter = Section&nbsp;4.0 Affected Environment |url = http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9621_11058_53088_53099-96829--,00.html |title = Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to the 1981 Final Environmental Impact Statement, Proposed US&nbsp;31 Freeway Connection to I-94 |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |date = April 2004 |pages = ((4-1, 4-8)) |format = PDF }}</ref> The study compared the original proposal for this extension that involved connecting directly to [[Interstate 196|I-196]] at [[Interstate 94 in Michigan|I-94]] with a pair of alternate routes that involved connecting US&nbsp;31 directly to [[Interstate 94 Business (Benton Harbor-St. Joseph, Michigan)|BL I-94]] at I-94 near Benton Harbor with auxiliary lanes to I-196. The recommendation was to use the PA-2 version of the alternative connection to avoid the Blue Creek Fen.<ref>{{cite book |author = Project Planning Division |chapter-url = http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Executive_Summary_96035_7.pdf |chapter = Executive Summary |url = http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9621_11058_53088_53099-96829--,00.html |title = Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement to the 1981 Final Environmental Impact Statement, Proposed US&nbsp;31 Freeway Connection to I-94 |publisher = Michigan Department of Transportation |date = April 2004 |page = iii |format = PDF }}</ref> At the time the last freeway segment was opened in 2003, MDOT expected the remaining segment would not take much longer to complete,<ref name=when-oh-when/> but funding was not available for many years.<ref>{{cite news |first = Tom |last = Haroldson |title = MDOT Officials Concerned Funding Issues Can Delay, Kill Needed Projects |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/09/mdot_officials_concerned_that.html |work = [[Kalamazoo Gazette]] |date = September 4, 2013 |access-date = September 5, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140714143258/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/09/mdot_officials_concerned_that.html |archive-date = July 14, 2014 |url-status = live |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Construction of the extension was not included for this reason in subsequent MDOT five-year highway projects plans, although most of the design work and land acquisition was identified in 2013 as having been finished.<ref>{{cite news |first = Andrew |last = Lersten |title = Don't Hold Your Breath |url = http://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/local/don-t-hold-your-breath/article_b5643c86-7eb4-5f0e-beed-f3e94aa891df.html |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = September 5, 2013 |access-date = September 5, 2013 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130905184651/http://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/local/don-t-hold-your-breath/article_b5643c86-7eb4-5f0e-beed-f3e94aa891df.html |archive-date = September 5, 2013 |url-status = live |df = mdy-all }}</ref> Funding for the project was listed in the 2017–21 plan draft released in July 2016, which split the remaining work into three phases.<ref>{{cite press release |author = Michigan House Republicans |title = Rep. Pscholka: US&nbsp;31 Back on the Build List and on MDOT's Five Year Plan |url = http://gophouse.org/rep-pscholka-u-s-31-back-build-list-mdots-five-year-plan/ |publisher = Michigan House Republicans |date = July 5, 2016 |access-date = July 6, 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first = John |last = Matuzak |title = Back from the Dead |url = http://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/local/back-from-the-dead/article_bb86ad1d-baf4-587e-bda5-cb0335cb845a.html |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = July 6, 2016 |access-date = July 6, 2016 }}</ref> MDOT received a federal grant for the project in December 2018,<ref>{{cite press release |first = Tom |last = Wilbur |title = Upton Announces $20M Grant for US-31 |url = https://upton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399139 |publisher = Office of U.S. Representative [[Fred Upton]] |date = December 6, 2018 |access-date = December 8, 2018 }}</ref> citing at that time a completion date of 2022 or 2023 for the project;<ref>{{cite news |first = Tony |last = Wittkowski |title = A Long Road Ahead |url = https://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/local/a-long-road-ahead/article_30d9fee9-37c4-5fd9-aaae-826425a71798.html |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = December 7, 2018 |access-date = December 8, 2018 |quote = MDOT anticipates completing the project in 2022. It will be done by 2023 at the latest, [MDOT spokesman Nick Schirripa] said. }}</ref> construction began in June 2020.<ref name=mdotstorymap>{{cite web|first=Cory|last=Smith|title=US-31 &ndash; I-94 Connector Design Build: 50 Years of History, Engineering, Ecology, and Economics|url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4dd9b036f10744bfabf061cf2c51eccb|publisher=[[ArcGIS]] StoryMap |date=March 5, 2021}}</ref> The [[Opening ceremony|ribbon cutting]] for this section occurred on September 26, 2022.<ref name="herald_palladium_2022" /><ref>{{cite news |first = Mark |last = Peterson |title = After 19 Years U.S.&nbsp;31 Now Links to I-94 in Berrien County |url = https://www.wndu.com/2022/09/26/after-19-years-us-31-now-links-i-94-berrien-county/ |publisher = [[WNDU-TV]] |location = South Bend, Indiana |date = September 26, 2022 |access-date = September 27, 2022 }}</ref> The new routing to I-94 formally opened on November 9, 2022.<ref name=springgate>{{cite news |last = Springgate |first = Jack |date=November 9, 2022 |title = New US&nbsp;31 Route Opens to Warm Receptions |url = https://www.wndu.com/2022/11/10/new-us-31-route-opens-warm-receptions/ |work = 16 News Now |location=South Bend, Indiana |publisher=[[WNDU-TV]] |access-date=November 10, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Until the freeway was completed, US&nbsp;31 followed a stretch of Napier Avenue, which was upgraded in conjunction with the St. Joseph Valley Parkway opening to that point, westward to I-94.<ref name="MDOT10">{{cite MDOT map |year= 2010 |link= y |sections= M7–N7}}</ref> This stretch of Napier remained state trunkline until 2023.<ref>{{cite news |first = Julie |last = Swidwa |title = Berrien County takes over section of Napier Avenue from state |url = https://www.heraldpalladium.com/communities/st_joseph/berrien-county-takes-over-section-of-napier-avenue-from-state/article_b93d1f0d-cec7-5ca4-ad6d-7748d4297d17.html | url-access = subscription |work = The Herald-Palladium |location = St. Joseph, Michigan |date = September 22, 2023 |access-date = September 22, 2023 }}<!-- Memo of Understanding approval 2023-09-21 A2309302 https://www.berriencounty.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09212023-5658 --></ref> The St. Joseph Valley Parkway name was applied to the new freeway section.<ref name=memorial>{{cite web |author = [[Michigan Legislature]] |title = 250.1049 'St. Joseph Valley Parkway' |date = 2001 |publisher = [[Law of Michigan#Compiled Laws|Michigan Compiled Laws]] |url = http://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-250-1049 |access-date = September 29, 2019 | quote = The portion of highway US&nbsp;31 beginning at the Michigan–Indiana state line and extending north to the intersection with I-94 in Berrien County shall be known as the 'St. Joseph Valley Parkway'.}}</ref>
{{-}}

==Exit list==
{{jcttop|exit|state_col=state|length_ref={{#tag:ref|Milepost numbers reset at the Indiana–Michigan state line crossing. In Indiana [[concurrency (road)|concurrent sections]] and exits use the US&nbsp;20 mileposts which increase to the east.<ref name="INDOT-RPB">{{cite book |author = Indiana Department of Transportation |url = http://www.in.gov/indot/files/StateWide_2004.pdf |title = Reference Post Book |publisher = Indiana Department of Transportation |at = U-20, U-31 |year = 2004 |location = Indianapolis |access-date = August 6, 2010 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110615200707/http://www.in.gov/indot/files/StateWide_2004.pdf |archive-date = June 15, 2011 |df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="PRFA">{{cite MDOT PRFA |access-date=August 6, 2010}}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}}}
{{INint|exit
|sspan=14
|county=Elkhart
|cspan=3
|township1=Jefferson
|township2=Concord
|ctdab=Elkhart
|mile=98.65
|exit=99
|road={{jct|state=IN|US|20|dir1=east|city1=Angola}}<br/>{{jct|state=IN|CR|17|county1=Elkhart|I|80|I|90|Toll||to2=yes}}<br/>Old US&nbsp;20&nbsp;– [[Elkhart, Indiana|Elkhart]]
|notes=Eastern terminus as US&nbsp;20 becomes a freeway}}
{{INint|exit
|location=Elkhart
|mile=95.55
|exit=96
|road={{jct|state=IN|US|33|dir1=south|city1=Elkhart|city2=Goshen}}
|notes=Northern terminus of US&nbsp;33}}
{{INint|exit
|township1=Concord
|township2=Baugo
|ctdab=Elkhart
|mile=92.04
|exit=92
|road={{jct|state=IN|IN|19|city1=Wakarusa|city2=Nappanee|city3=Elkhart}}
|notes=}}
{{INint|exit
|county=St. Joseph
|cspan=11
|township=Penn
|lspan=2
|ctdab=St. Joseph
|mile=84.75
|exit=86
|road={{jct|state=IN|IN|331|name1=Elm Road|dir1=north}}
|type=concur
|notes=Eastern end of SR&nbsp;331 concurrency}}
{{INint|exit
|mile=82.75
|exit=84
|road={{jct|state=IN|IN|331|name1=Bremen Highway|dir1=south|city1=Bremen|city2=Mishawaka}}
|type=concur
|notes=Western end of SR&nbsp;331 concurrency}}
{{INint|exit
|location=South Bend
|lspan=3
|mile=81.27
|exit=82
|road=Ironwood Drive
|notes=}}
{{INint|exit
|mile=78.47
|mile2=78.83
|exit=79
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IN|US-Bus|31|dir1=north|name1=Michigan Street|dab1=South Bend}}<br/>{{jct|state=IN|US|31|dir1=south|city1=Plymouth|city2=Indianapolis}}
|notes=Southern end of US&nbsp;20/US&nbsp;31 concurrency; milepost 253.94 on US&nbsp;31}}
{{INint|exit
|mile=76.08
|exit=76
|road={{jct|state=IN|IN|23}}
|notes=}}
{{INint|exit
|location=Portage Township
|ctdab=St. Joseph
|lspan=2
|mile=74.38
|exit=75
|road=Mayflower Road
|notes=Northbound only exit for westbound traffic}}
{{INint|exit
|mile=72.51
|mile2=72.88
|exit=73
|road={{jct|state=IN|IN|2|name1=Western Avenue|city1=South Bend|city2=LaPorte}}
|notes=}}
{{INint|exit
|location=South Bend
|lspan=4
|mile=70.53
|mile2=253.75
|line=y
|exit=71
|type=concur
|road={{jct|state=IN|US|20|dir1=west|city1=Michigan City}}<br/>{{jct|state=IN|city1=South Bend |extra=airport|location2=[[South Bend International Airport]]}}
|notes=Northern end of US&nbsp;20/US&nbsp;31 concurrency}}
{{INint|exit
|mile=254.98
|exit=263A
|road=Nimtz Parkway
|notes=}}
{{INint|exit
|mile=255.12
|exit=263B
|road={{jct|state=IN|I|80|I|90|Toll}}
|notes=Exit 72 on Indiana Toll Road}}
{{INint|exit
|mile=255.9
|exit=264
|road={{jct|state=IN|US-Bus|31|dir1=south|name1=Cleveland Road / Brick Road|dab1=South Bend}}
|notes=}}
{{jctbridge|exit
|river_wide=yes
|river=&nbsp;
|mile=257.6
|mile2=0.000
|line=y
|bridge=Indiana–Michigan state line}}
{{MIint|exit
|sspan=9
|county=Berrien
|cspan=9
|location=Bertrand Township
|mile=3.287
|exit=3
|road={{jct|state=MI|US|12|city1=Sturgis|city2=New Buffalo}}
|notes=}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Niles Charter Township
|lspan=2
|mile=4.852
|exit=5
|road=Niles–Buchanan Road
|notes=}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=6.777
|exit=7
|road=Walton Road
|notes=Former [[U.S. Route 31 Business (Niles, Michigan)|Bus. US&nbsp;31]]}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Oronoko Charter Township
|lspan=2
|mile=12.987
|exit=13
|road=Snow Road&nbsp;– [[Berrien Springs, Michigan|Berrien Springs]]
|notes=}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=15.474
|exit=15
|road={{jct|state=MI|M|139|city1=Berrien Springs}}
|notes=Former US&nbsp;31/US&nbsp;33}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Sodus Township
|lspan=2
|mile=18.080
|exit=18
|road=Tabor Road
|notes=}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=21.938
|exit=22
|road=Sodus Parkway
|notes=}}
{{MIint|exit
|location=Benton Charter Township
|lspan=2
|mile=24.441
|exit=24
|road=Napier Avenue
|notes=}}
{{MIint|exit
|mile=
|exit=27
|road={{jct|state=MI|I|94|US|31|dir2=north|location1=[[Chicago]]|city2=Detroit|I|196|to3=yes}}<br>{{jct|state=MI|BL|94|dab1=Benton Harbor|city1=Downtown Benton Harbor}}
|notes=Opened November 9, 2022}}
{{Jctbtm|keys=concur|col=8}}

==See also==
* {{portal-inline|Indiana}}
* {{portal-inline|Michigan Highways}}
* {{portal-inline|U.S. Roads}}

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Attached KML|display=title,inline}}
* [http://www.michiganhighways.org/indepth/US-31Freeway_Berrien.html US&nbsp;31 Freeway in Berrien County] at Michigan Highways
* {{cite news|first=Brian|last=Conybeare|title=The Butterfly Effect|publisher=[[WBND-LD]]|date=November 23, 2022}} [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj8TKFqzsSU Part 1] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq1lU0KtwM8 Part 2] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14tXZr_K6w4 Part 3]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Joseph Valley Parkway}}
[[Category:Freeways in the United States]]
[[Category:U.S. Highways in Indiana]]
[[Category:Freeways and expressways in Michigan]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 20]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 31]]
[[Category:Transportation in South Bend, Indiana]]
[[Category:Transportation in St. Joseph County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Transportation in Elkhart County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Transportation in Berrien County, Michigan]]