$10M Awarded For Enhanced Detroit Greenways

DETROIT (WWJ) - The U.S. Department of Transportation is giving Detroit $10 million to help enhance bike and pedestrian transportation in some of the city's more developed regions.

The money will support the LINK Detroit project -- a plan to connect the Dequindre Cut, Hamtramck and Midtown Loop greenways.

Detroit congressman Hanson Clarke said the improvements will make Eastern Market more accessible , which  means better access to nutritious food for residents.

"It's gonna help upgrade the pedestrian lighting system in Eastern Market, it's gonna put new sidewalks in, it's gonna repair three bridges and make it easier for cars and trucks to go in an out of Eastern Market," said Clarke. "That's gonna be better for customers who wanna buy fresh fruit and produce and also for businesses that need to transport the goods."

Clarke said making those improvements will help bring more people to the city.

"The more people we have in Detroit that are buying produce and goods that means more jobs, because businesses have to hire more people to serve the public," said Clarke. "And that's one thing that we need -- we people people here in Detroit."

Project backers say the $25 million overall investment is projected to create over 16,000 jobs throughout Wayne County and generate nearly $2 billion in economic activity between 2015 and 2020.