The Gateway Project is a major construction process that took place at the I-75 and I-96 interchange in Detroit, Michigan. The construction was funded by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the United States Federal Government. The Gateway Project construction took place to better the flow of traffic from the United States to and from Canada. The construction ultimately made it easier to access the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit. In 1994, plans were drawn up to change the setup of how travelers access the Ambassador Bridge, but other ramps and bridges needed to be repaired before the construction on I-75 and I-96 could be started. Many people had never heard of the Gateway project until 2008 when parts of I-75 and I-96 were to be shut down.
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The Main reason for the construction of I-75 and I-96 freeways is because they are part of a vital North American trade route. The freeways need to be functional and able to compensate for the millions of cars that travel the route yearly. In order to compensate for the high volume of traffic the reconstruction of these freeways was much needed. This construction would also help keep traffic out of Mexicantown. With the freeways being so backed up near the Ambassador bridge, many people would take a shortcut through the streets of Detroit and Mexicantown. Once the construction is complete, the freeways should be able to compensate for the amount of traffic in the area.
Michigan Department of Transportation, the city of Detroit, and The Detroit International Bridge Company noticed that the original setup of the I-75 and I-96 interchange was not appropriate for the high traffic volume. In 1994, plans were drawn up to change the setup and improve the traffic flow. In order to complete such a larger construction project other bridges and ramps needed to be repaired in the city of Detroit, before the I-75 and I-96 interchange could be worked on. Four stages of construction were set up. The first phase was started and completed in 2003 with the rehabilitation of West Fort Street from Rosa Parks Boulevard to Clark Street. Phase two was started and completed in 2004 with the reconstruction of West Grand Boulevard over I-75. Phase three was started in 2005 and completed in 2007 with the reconstruction of I-75 and I-96 Southbound Service Drive and the I-96 off-ramp. Phase four began in July 2007 with pre-construction of the project area and continued in 2008 with reconstruction of sections of I-75 and I-96, a new interchange, and a pedestrian bridge of I-75. One mile of I-75 was closed and travelers of this route were instructed to use a detour. The freeway was not expected to reopen until December 2009 but reopened in July. Phase four is not expected to be complete until 2010.[1]
The construction of phase four was by far the most extensive. It included the reconstruction of one and a half miles of I-75, reconstruction of one mile of I-96, reconstruction of eighteen ramps, reconstruction and rehabilitation of twenty-four bridges,l construction of three miles of retaining walls, construction of a cable-stay pedestrian bridge, relocation of large water and sewer lines, and reconstruction of major public lighting transmission lines. This part of the Gateway Project brought up a lot of controversy. Since millions of cars travel the I-75 route, the closing of the freeways became a major issue with many of the travelers. The travelers were instructed to use I-94 or I-275 as detours. Another issue with the freeway being closed was that many local business were affected. Since the freeway was closed, travelers could not take the freeway to Mexicantown. Business owners in this area of Detroit feared they would lose business and have to close their doors.
On Wednesday, September 10, 2008 a construction worker was killed while working on an I-75 bridge. Gilbert Danz was killed for a beam. He was putting up a metal support when a beam fell on his head. Danz left behind a wife and three young children.[2]
Local streets removed and permanently closed
Local streets closed or restricted during this stage The roads below are scheduled to re-open by early 2008.
Open - local access
Closed to through traffic - local access only
No longer restricted - utility work has been completed.