The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded the Michigan Department of Transportation a $104.7 million grant through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the I-375 project in Detroit.
The goal of the project is to rebuild the Black Bottom and Paradise Valley neighborhoods that were destroyed when I-375 was built.
“I-375 bulldozed two vibrant Black neighborhoods and is part of an unjust and painful chapter in our history,” U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) said. “Instead of dividing our communities, we now have a chance to reconnect them and take a big step toward building a better future.”
Work includes removing the Jefferson Avenue curve, converting I-375 to a slower speed boulevard, re-aligning the ramps and freeway near I-375, removing weaving and merging areas along I-375 and I-75, installing calming traffic measures, and incorporating LED lighting.
The department also will reconnect neighborhood streets in the project area to the boulevard, construct wider sidewalks and bike lanes with pedestrian crossings, rehabilitate one stormwater runoff pump station, and remove two stormwater runoff pump stations and 15 bridges dividing the community.
“This investment is going to make a big difference for families and businesses in downtown Detroit by reconnecting neighborhoods to key economic hubs and improving the quality of life for area residents,” U.S. Sen Gary Peters (D-MI) said.