Northwest Wayne News

Motorists in Detroit will soon say farewell to the I-375 freeway as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced plans to supplant the freeway with an urban boulevard that will facilitate economic development, along with easier access for motorists in the city, according to a March 16 press release.   

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently completed an environmental review of the route allowing for the urban boulevard to go beyond the design phase this spring, the release stated. 

"As a former Lafayette Park resident, I know there is no way to undo the damage that the building of I-375 did to Black communities,” said Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), in the release. “I am truly glad MDOT recognizes that racial equity work must be done in this area, although we know that the I-375 project won't be able to address all the inequities that continue to persist in our communities.”

According to the release, I-375 is over 50 years old and displaced the Black Bottom and Paradise Valley neighborhoods, as well as several businesses and residential buildings during its construction. 

“My hope is that, with the project moving forward, the community engagement process will uplift the needs and desires of the local community so that the advancements in connectivity and sustainability also include the prioritization of green space on the excess land as the majority of neighbors desire,” Chang said. “Not commercial or residential development that is out of financial reach for many Detroiters."