Reckoning 375: What is Detroit’s role in the state’s highway removal project?
“Reckoning 375,” a new miniseries from “Detroit Today,” will explore the history behind — and repercussions of — the freeway’s construction, and what the replacement project will entail.
A view of the construction of the Chrysler Freeway at the Lodge Highway, near Puritan. 1960-1969.
In this week’s episode of Detroit Today‘s mini series, Reckoning 375, we take a deeper look at the restorative efforts behind Michigan Department of Transportation’s planned “I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project,” which aims to replace the aging freeway with a boulevard and reconnect the surrounding neighborhoods cut off by its initial construction.
But what would community restoration look like as it relates to this project? And how are city officials planning to engage those who were displaced by the highway and the current residents who stand to be affected by the redevelopment project?
Antione Bryant, planning and development director for the City of Detroit, joined Stephen Henderson on the show Friday to discuss the planning process, along with WDET reporter Laura Herberg, who recently wrote about the similarities between the West Davison Avenue connector off the M-8 Davison Freeway and MDOT’s plan to redevelop I-375.
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Guests:
Antoine Bryant is the director of the Planning & Development Department for the City of Detroit. He says the city is engaged in the “I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project” and is working to get the best possible result for its residents.
“There is time for us to get it right,” said Bryant. “I make it my duty to ensure that we are getting this right and we are hearing from people.”
Laura Herberg is a reporter for WDET 101.9 FM. She wrote about the West Davison Avenue connector off the M-8 Davison Freeway and says MDOT’s road plan for I-375 is similar to West Davison.
“It’s undeniable that there are a lot of similarities that I think might inform what this boulevard could look and feel and sound like, after it’s constructed,” said Herberg.
Listen to Detroit Today with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.
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