Watch CBS News

Michigan Updates Plans For $2 Billion Overhaul Of I-94 In Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) -  The big rebuild of I-94 through the heart of Detroit is going forward with work to begin as early as next year.

Michigan officials are planning a nearly $2 billion reconstruction project for a stretch of Interstate 94 in Detroit, starting with  work on a number of bridges and overpasses in desperate need of replacing, following by roadwork that would happen over three phases in the next 20 years.

MDOT spokesman Rob Morosi says the work has been moved "to the top of our priority list."

The project includes the full reconstruction of 6.7 miles of I-94 between Conner and I-96, including rebuilding 67 overpasses. MDOT says there are structural issues with overpasses and interchanges that cannot handle 2015 volumes as well as other infrastructure issues.

About 81 percent of the funding is expected to come from the federal government.

MDOT region engineer Tony Kratofil said Monday that a lot has changed in Detroit since the state started collecting project data in the early 2000s.

"We're taking a good, honest look here at what has changed in the community, what has changed with traffic, what has changed in people's choices of transportation that make sure that we right-size this project," Kratofil said. "That does not change the need to build the project."

Kratofil said MDOT is updating their plans to reflect recent changes in Detroit and make it more sensitive to neighborhoods.

"As we go through this reevaluation, the consideration of pedestrian and bicycle movement, as well as that continuous service drive that was affecting the geometry of those interchanges, will all affect what those final decisions are," Kratofil said.

Seeking the public's input on the project, MDOT has set the "open-house style" meetings for July 14 at Cathedral Church of St. Paul on Woodward Ave. and July 16 at Wayne County Community College's eastern campus (more details below).

The original freeway was built between 1947 and 1959; and, Kratofil  said, updated are necessary to suit today's travel needs.

Public meeting details:

Tuesday, July 14, 2015
9 - 11 a.m. and 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Barth Hall)

4800 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Thursday, July 16, 2015
2 - 4 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m.
Wayne County Community College - Eastern Campus
5901 Conner Ave., Detroit

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.