DETROIT – The city of Detroit received grant funding that will be used to find ways to make the Gratiot corridor safer.
Recently, $12.5 million was awarded to Detroit from USDOT and the state of Michigan to make the Gratiot corridor from 8 Mile Road to Downtown Detroit safer for people traveling along the corridor. That’s in addition to the nearly $50 million received from USDOT over the last two years to address dangerous streets and intersections around Detroit, which will be rolled out this spring.
City officials said the Gratiot corridor is one of Detroit’s most dangerous roadways and the grant funding will be used to find ways to make it safer. Some of the safety goals include slowing drivers down, adding more crossing points, and improving bus stops.
Officials said even though the speed limit is only 35 miles per hour, drivers are often seen going 55 to 60 along the corridor. A speed study will be completed as part of this project.
A press conference was held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2024, at the G7 Community Lot. Speakers included Detroit Chief of Infrastructure Sam Krassenstein, MDOT/MIO Chief Infrastructure Officer Zachary Kolodin, business owners in the Gratiot corridor, and community and non-profit representatives.
Watch the full press conference in the video player above.