Falling into place?

It is amazing how nothing happens for months and then, in a relatively short period, we see things starting to come together. Let’s review. M-1 is moving forward. The Woodward Avenue Study has recommended BRT – Bus Rapid Transit – on Woodward. I-94 and I-75 improvements are moving forward. The Regional Transit Authority has a CEO (Michael Ford) and is about to begin developing a plan and studying transit options on both Gratiot and Michigan. The new bridge to Canada that has been debated for years now has an authority – the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority – and a CEO (Michele Cautillo) and we’ll see bids being requested in the coming months. The Senate took a major step forward last week by passing legislation to add badly needed revenue to improve our badly deteriorating road and transit systems.

For the first time in years, we have a regional bicycle and pedestrian travel plan to help us prioritize the needs against a small amount of dollars. A new SMART millage passed a few months ago and Mayor Duggan is working hard to improve DDOT. In the past election, 10 out of 13 local ballot proposals to increase transportation funding passed. After months and even years of trying to make the case for the need for additional dollars, it appears that the light has finally gone on!

Wow! That is a lot and those are only the most visible things. All of a sudden, things are starting to look up. All of these projects will provide badly needed jobs, improve our mobility, and enhance our position as a major national and international freight corridor adding additional fuel to the recovery of our region and state. There is a long way to go, but things are starting to fall into place. Let’s keep it going!