Bridging the Gap: Planning for Neighborhood Quality of Life in Southwest Detroit

Abstract

The Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB), scheduled to open in 2024, is expected to increase large truck traffic in Southwest Detroit neighborhoods, leading to growth in noise, air pollution, and traffic hazards. The opening of the GHIB will also increase industrial land conversion for businesses that generate freight traffic within Delray, the Southwest Detroit neighborhood that will house the bridge’s Port of Entry (POE). This will add to the noise, vibrations, and pollutants from trucks traveling to the POE from Interstate 75 (I-75) and to and from local industrial businesses. These direct challenges stand to exacerbate systemic inequality and environmental justice issues which have long been prevalent in this area, particularly within Delray, as resident health, economic well-being, and safety have been impacted by industry moving into residential communities since the 1940s.

In partnership with the Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition (SWDCBC), this research investigates urban planning, design, and policy approaches to strategically maximize resident quality of life throughout Southwest Detroit in anticipation of the bridge’s construction and the impacts that will follow.