I-375 Reconnecting Communities

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The I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project by the Michigan Department of Transportation is a transformational project to convert the downtown interstate spur and the Gratiot Connector to a surface boulevard.  The conversion will address the inherent safety concerns with maintenance of the highway and bridges, the current interchange, and accessibility into surrounding communities and the Riverfront. 

This project requires a greater understanding of the impacts to surrounding communities: historic harm of past urban renewal efforts that removed a great center of black culture, commerce, and people; impacts of construction on surrounding communities and businesses and how to mitigate them; and the need to maintain safe connections and access for Detroiters and our visitors.

I-375 cut off the adjacent neighborhood from downtown and led to the demolition of Hastings Street, the last part of the Black Bottom neighborhood. Removing the expressway and replacing it with a boulevard will reconnect city streets in the area. While it won't bring back Hastings Street, it offers opportunities to honor the area's history, promote equitable development, enhance cultural spaces, and improve mobility.

Neighborhood Framework

The City of Detroit, through extensive community engagement, will develop a NEIGHBORHOOD FRAMEWORK, to understand the opportunities and challenges that come with the I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project.  The framework is to be developed with elements of study that include: zoning & land-use; urban design and neighborhoods; mobility; open space; and history, arts and culture.

Since this major infrastructure project will have a substantial impact on nearby neighborhoods and will create 30+ acres of developable land, a framework is needed.  

The framework will work with the community to answer a series of questions; for example:

  • How should the new developable land be zoned?

  • What types of development should be in the new parcels?  How large or small should the (potential) developments be? 

  • What should the right-of-way look like on the newly created roads?

  • Should there be green space on the new parcels?  Is so, how much?

  • What should it be like to travel through the area?

  • How should this area connect to the existing neighborhoods? 

  • What are the stormwater management opportunities for the area?

  • What are the potential infrastructure upgrades for the area? 

  • What are the opportunities to support arts & culture in the area?  

  • How should the Hastings Street history be recognized? 

  • How should the boulevard connect to the Riverfront?

The newly created developable land will be owned by the State of Michigan and subject to Federal Department of Transportation regulations. Creating a plan with clear recommendations for the area is critical to help guide the disposition of the land and to direct financial resources for potential projects and enhancements.

Framework Scope
i-375 framework scope - slide 5
Our vision - new boulevard corridor that creates equitable opportunities, enhances mobility, celebrates our centers of culture, and honors our history.

Framework Timeline

I-375 Timeline - 11 05 2024

I-375 Local Advisory Committee Meeting

An MDOT I-375 Reconnecting Communities’ Local Advisory Committee Meeting was held on October 17th at the MDNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit.

Committee members received a presentation and update on the consultant kick-off of the I-375 Neighborhood Framework and the elements that will comprise the framework: Zoning and Land-Use; Urban Design; and History, Art and Culture. Members also received an overview of the progressive design-build method of delivery for the new boulevard and how the framework can influence the design. Click above to view the LAC presentation.

Past Meetings 

May 2, 2024 - Zoning and Land-Use Study COO Meeting
May 8, 2024 - Zoning and Land Use Study COO Meeting

 

For More Info Visit MDOT

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project?

The II-375 Reconnecting Communities Project is a transformative highway project converting I-375 and the Fisher HWY (Gratiot Connector) into a surface road; and using the residual parcels created for future development and open space.  The surface boulevard replaces 3 outdated bridges spanning the highway and reconnects downtown to Lafayette Park and Eastern Market. The Michigan Department of Transportation, in partnership with the City of Detroit, will develop a framework on the highway, urban design and development, and opportunities centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion through an extensive community engagement process.

 What is the purpose of this?

The project updates the poor condition of the current infrastructure, interchange design and outdated bridges. It accomodates all users for future transportation needs and roadway safety, improves vehicular and non-motorized connectivity to surrounding area and existing and planned transit services; and enhances access to future development and other placemaking opportunities.

 When is the I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project scheduled to be constructed?

Pre-construction is expected in Q4 2025. Heavy Construction is from 2026-28.

 What is the construction cost of the project?

The estimated construction cost of the project is $300 million with funding from federal and state sources.

 Is there a final design already?

No there is not a final design. There is a conceptual design based on the placement (location) and capacity of the new boulevard to handle current and future traffic.

 Was the community engaged on the conceptual design?

From community feedback and safety concerns on the design, MDOT revisited traffic counts post pandemic and SEMCOG revised its growth estimate for the area to support a smaller boulevard width of 4 lines + two turning lanes.

The communities immediately adjacent to I-375 were engaged in community meetings open to the general public, community stakeholder meetings, and living room chats from 2017 up to 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 How does the project take into account the history and the people of Black Bottom in how they were affected by the highway then?

The focus of the conceptual design was more on geometry and physical impacts to the surrounding area. The framework will capture the historic narrative and individual stories to honor and celebrate the past and connect to the future through the engagement process regarding I-375 and the impact it had on the Black Bottom, Paradise Valley, and other communities in the cause of its construction.

 For the communities affected by the construction of I-375 boulevard conversion, will there be any mitigation of impacts?

The framework and engagment process will seek to responsibly address any construction impacts from I-375's construction to the extent we can. How we address any impacts will be in partnership with the federal government and State of Michigan.

 What happens to the excess land created by the boulevard?

That cannot be decided until the final design is completed and the disposition is determined to understand what will be available. Development will be encouraged to have diversity, equity, and inclusion as a core principle in how the area is developed - from ownership, to contracting, to use. Community enhancements will be determined with community involvement and input as well. Discussions are underway with the federal government as to how the land disposition takes place (transferring land within federal and state regulations). Nothing has been pre-planned; and no decisions will be made until the transfer is better understood.

 How may I give input to the I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project?

In addition to the Planning Department's website, check out the link above to the MDOT website for information on future community engagement events for I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project as well as more detailed information on the project itself.

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