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State officials are ready to share revisions for the paused I-375 construction project. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is hosting a community meeting to discuss the project, which seeks to replace the I-375 freeway with a modern, street-level boulevard with residential and business opportunities. MDOT’s 12th meeting on the project is planned for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at The Eastern on Russell Street in Detroit. It will be livestreamed as well, beginning at 5:45 p.m. Construction on the one-mile Detroit highway was delayed in August over public concern regarding design elements, as well as rising costs. Related: Rising costs, public concern cause Michigan to delay I-375 redesign The rebuild is expected to cost more than $500 million -- far exceeding the $300 million estimate from 2022, according to MDOT. Michigan received a $105 million federal grant, and officials planned to seek additional federal grant funding. State Transportation Director Bradley Wieferich said getting the project right for the community and all stakeholders has been the top priority. Thursday’s meeting will allow interested parties to hear about the project pause, proposed revisions and details on utility construction activities. All are welcome. Built in the 1960s, the highway destroyed the historic Black Bottom neighborhood, which was a hub for African American entrepreneurship and home to the Paradise Valley entertainment center. The use of interstate routing to segregate cities throughout the U.S. and displace minority communities has been heavily documented by historians. As proposed, the project would include upgrading mobility and access, improving environmental quality for neighborhoods, and “taking an equitable approach to honoring the history of the former Black Bottom and Paradise Valley neighborhoods,” according to MDOT. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said the project would create “a mile of economic opportunity with accessible space for small business storefronts, affordable housing and so much more.” A livestream video of the meeting will be accessible on YouTube. For more information, visit MDOT’s project website. Public comment can be submitted at the meeting, by emailing mdot-i-375corridor@michigan.gov or by calling 855-375-6368.
