Recently, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Reconnecting Communities Program funding awarded $2 million to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for the I-75 Cap Design Engineering Project.
The funds will help advance this project as it moves to a final design, enabling it to become shovel-ready. The DDP has co-led the planning phase with the City of Detroit and MDOT with support by USDOT.
The I-75 Cap is a locally led initiative that works to reconnect communities cut off from economic and social opportunities by prior transportation infrastructure decisions.
Throughout 2024, the Downtown Detroit Partnership conducted three Community Visioning Sessions in coordination with public partners to garner public input during the planning phase. Based on the input received, a community-preferred alternative was selected, and a feasibility study will be conducted this year.
In its third Community Visioning Session, the DDP shared a presentation of the preferred alternative that features three caps: East, Central, and West and asked for the community’s feedback on the character, amenities, and programming for each of the caps.
“The DDP champions a holistic approach to the city’s transportation network to uphold a strong urban core. We are pleased to work in collaboration with the City of Detroit and MDOT on this pivotal project that will benefit the community for generations,” said Eric B. Larson, DDP’s CEO. “As I-75 Cap advances towards shovel-readiness, we have an opportunity to evolve our local transportation system and infrastructure in a way that positions the city for the future and a more solidified and connected community.”
The recent federal funds are in addition to the original funding announced in March 2024 to begin the I-75 Cap Study.
To learn more about the I-75 Cap Project, visit: https://downtowndetroit.org/about-the-ddp/impact/program-initiatives/urban-innovation/i-75-cap/
