The plan to replace the one-mile I-375 into a boulevard received $104 million on Thursday from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Securing this funding will allow the project to move up two years from its time frame and start in 2025.
I-375 was built in the early 60s and destroyed the Black Bottom and Paradise Valley neighborhoods, which were home to Black residents and businesses.
The current plan is to turn the short freeway into a boulevard, with major changes around the 75/375 interchange after the Mack Avenue exit. The project also includes:
- removing 15 bridges that separate the neighborhoods,
- removing the Jefferson Avenue curve,
- building wider sidewalks and bike lanes,
- reconnecting streets in the neighborhood to the new boulevard.
The project will free up acres of land that can be developed and will create greater connection between Greektown, downtown, Eastern Market, Lafayette Park, and the Riverfront.
