Detroit Detour: Two-year closure of major border highway begins in Feb

DETROIT — Getting through southwest Detroit after crossing the border is going to be a whole lot slower after February 25. That’s when Michigan’s Dept. of Transportation will shut down a stretch of the I-75 for almost two years.

I-75 from Rosa Parks Blvd. to Clark Street will close for major construction of the Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project. The work includes reconstructing I-75 and I-96 freeways and creating a new interchange for the bridge; a brand new pedestrian bridge across I-75 and I-96 connecting east and west Mexicantown; and a redesigned, expanded Ambassador Bridge plaza.

The work lays down the infrastructure for the privately-owned Ambassador’s own project to build a new six-lane twin span across the Detroit River to Windsor.

Access to downtown Detroit, the Mexicantown community and the Ambassador Bridge will be maintained throughout the project, as will ramps northbound I-75 to Clark Street, Clark Street to southbound I-75, Rosa Parks Blvd. to northbound I-75, Warren Avenue to eastbound I-96, and Westbound I-96 to Warren Avenue. However, Clark Street to northbound I-75 and Rosa Parks to southbound I-75 will be closed.

There will be separate alternative routes for cars and trucks, says MDOT. Vehicles and commercial trucks will not be sharing the same detours. This will help eliminate truck traffic on local streets and to improve traffic flow on detour routes for commuters and travelers.

For more info on the project and detours, call 313-832-2210, e-mail mdotgateway@loviogeorgeinc.com or visit www.michigan.gov/gateway (link below).