The I-75 Cap is a locally led, and U.S. Department of Transportation supported, initiative to reconnect communities cut off from economic and social opportunities by prior transportation infrastructure decisions. The DDP is co-leading this planning initiative with the City of Detroit and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). 


DDP's Involvement

The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) was awarded a $2 million grant from the federal Reconnecting Communities program to explore freeway capping options within the I-75 right-of-way (along Woodward Avenue from 3rd Avenue on the west to Brush Street on the east) owned by the MDOT. DDP is co-leading this planning initiative with the City of Detroit and MDOT.

Design Your Own I-75 Cap

Here's your chance to share your creative input on what YOU think the I-75 Cap should look like. The sky is the limit. Dream big and share.

Submit Your Design

Area Under Study

During the planning phase, DDP will explore cap options within the Study Area, which extends from 3rd Avenue on the west to Brush Street on the east. Throughout initial phases of engagement, the team will collect feedback on potential overbuild options and design elements for each segment.

This planning phase will also consider a larger Benefit and Impact Area in which potential positive and negative effects from the overbuild options will be assessed.

What is a Highway Cap?

Highway caps are structures built over highways with the intention of reconnecting communities harmed by this infrastructure. A range of benefits can result from these projects, including enhanced mobility, environmental benefits, and added public space serving as an anchor for current and future development.

I-75 is an Interstate Highway that runs north-south from Florida to the Upper Peninsula. Construction of the Downtown Detroit segment of I-75 started in the late 1950s, and the freeway replaced active urban uses with a barrier between Downtown and neighborhoods to the north. That barrier persists to this day. Building highway caps can help enhance local connectivity and quality of life while maintaining the regional and national transportation network.

Timeline

DDP’s current planning effort includes public input over three phases as shown below. The alternative analysis of the cap options is intended to help secure future funding for design and construction.

Phase 1: Assessing community goals and needs (May-June)
Phase 2: Cap Options (July-August)
Phase 3: Preferred Alternative (September-October)

Future phases include securing funding, design and environmental studies (2025), completing design and initiating construction (2025/26), and completing construction with added amenities (2027/28).

Future Engagement Opportunities

Public and stakeholder engagement aims to foster inclusivity and transparency toward gathering information, educating stakeholders about the I-75 Cap, and providing an opportunity for public input.

There will be additional opportunities for public engagement throughout this process. Our second and third public meetings will dive deeper into the alternative analysis for each of these sections, collecting input and feedback along the way.

Public Meeting #1: July 2024 (Completed)
Read the meeting recap
Review the workshop stations materials
Review the presentation 

Public Meeting #2: August 2024 (Completed)
Read the meeting recap

Public Meeting #3: October 2024 Date TBD

 

For additional information and feedback, please send an email to: [email protected].

 

Thank you for your thoughts, support, and partnership.

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