Photo: myfoxdetroit.com
The public is being asked to decide the future of Detroit’s I-375 freeway. Redesigning the I-375 corridor is a once-in-50-years opportunity to redefine a key entry to the heart of downtown and east riverfront. The six alternatives range from rebuilding the freeway as is (Alternative 1) all the way to replacing it with surface streets (Alternatives 3, 4, 5 & 6). Vote for your favorite future rendering here and see which option other readers chose. You can give feedback in person at a public forum from 2-8 p.m. Thursday at Eastern Market’s Shed 5, or online at www.i375Detroit.com.
This option rebuilds I-375 as it is now with a few improvements to the on/off ramps and the pedestrian bridges that cross it.
Price tag: $60-$70 million
This option keeps the below-grade freeway but adds bike lanes on the service drives, landscaped freeway slopes, and a new greenway connection to the riverfront for bicyclists and walkers.
Price tag: $70-$80 million
This option narrows the freeway and shifts its path slightly to the west and raises the freeway to a surface street at Larned to eliminate the curve at Jefferson and to connect better to the riverfront. Bicycle lanes and pedestrian improvements added to adjacent areas.
Price tag: $55-$65 million
This option transitions the below-grade freeway to a surface street just south of Gratiot and shifts its path slightly to the east. This option opens up land for new development east of the Renaissance Center and provides a shared path to the riverfront.
Price tag: $40-$50 million
This option transitions the freeway to a surface street just south of Gratiot where it is reconstructed as a boulevard. The northbound service drive is converted to a surface street with bike lanes. Shared path to the riverfront.
Price tag: $45-$55 million
This option replaces I-375 with two one-way surface streets just south of Gratiot along what is now the service drives and re-uses the below-grade space now occupied by the freeway for some as-yet-undetermined new use such as trails or new buildings.
Price tag: $40-$50 million
