Eastpointe, Michigan's Nine Mile Road is set for a significant slim-down, following a contentious city council vote that ended with a slim 3-2 margin in favor of implementing a "road diet" for the thoroughfare. The decision, as reported by Freep, followed a marathon meeting peppered with vocal opposition from residents and concerns about emergency response times.
Proponents of the plan, including Eastpointe Mayor Michael Klinefelt, argue that the reduction from five lanes to three could pave way to economic growth and a more walkable cityscape. Klinefelt, who voted for the reduction, said, "What we’re doing isn’t working," in a statement obtained by Freep. In contrast, public servants such as the city's Fire Chief Brian Marquardt and Police Chief Corey Hanes, have voiced strong opposition, citing that the slimmed-down road could obstruct emergency vehicles.
The heated discussion at the council chambers saw over 30 residents taking the microphone to express their concerns. Only a handful of attendees spoke in favor of the lane reductions during the nearly three-hour public comment session, while the rest, as FOX 2 Detroit reported, were apprehensive that the change would funnel more traffic into residential areas and impede the flow of patrons to local businesses.
A few of the local entrepreneurs, such as the owner of Wash Pointe Car Wash and Felecia Thompson from the takeout restaurant "By Felecia," echoed concerns about potential loss of business due to anticipated traffic snarls. "If it’s just one lane, you’re never going to be able to get out, and traffic is going to be backed up way down," Thompson told ClickOnDetroit. Despite these fears, advocates maintain that such changes have been successful in other metro Detroit areas, boosting business attraction and pedestrian safety.
The road diet plan will initially affect the stretch between Pleasant and Tuscany avenues. Critics worry that the changes will put a strain on current businesses that have historically supported the 9 Mile Road area. "You’re concerned about future businesses coming, why don’t you take of the businesses that are here," Carmela Leiter, a resident of Eastpointe, said according to statements shared by Freep.
