Peters, Stabenow Announce Historic Investment to Replace I-375 and Reconnect Communities in Detroit
Michigan Department of Transportation Will Receive $104,657,051 From the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
DETROIT – U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will grant the Michigan Department of Transportation $104,657,051 to reconnect the neighborhoods destroyed by I-375 in Detroit. When I-375 was built, it destroyed the Black neighborhoods of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley and displaced thousands of people, churches, and small businesses. This investment from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, championed by Senators Peters and Stabenow, will help our state take an important step forward in repairing this chapter of Michigan history.
“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,” said Senator Peters. “I advocated for this project to be funded because it will not only spur economic growth and opportunity, but also help the city modernize critical infrastructure along the I-375 corridor, improve access to public transit, and address deep-rooted social and environmental justice concerns.”
“I-375 bulldozed two vibrant Black neighborhoods and is part of an unjust and painful chapter in our history,” said Senator Stabenow. “Instead of dividing our communities, we now have a chance to reconnect them and take a big step toward building a better future. Thanks to this major federal investment and commitments by MDOT and the City of Detroit, this project has the potential to create economic opportunities for our local businesses and residents.”
The Michigan Department of Transportation will realign the ramps and freeway near I-375, convert I-375 to a slower speed boulevard, install calming traffic measures, remove weaving and merging areas along I-375 and I-75, remove the Jefferson Avenue curve, and incorporate LED lighting in the project area. The project will also remove fifteen bridges and two stormwater runoff pump stations that are currently dividing the community, rehabilitate one remaining stormwater runoff pump station, construct wider sidewalks and bike lanes with pedestrian crossings, and reconnect neighborhood streets to the boulevard in the project area.
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