The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is rolling up its sleeves to introduce a new storm sewer system designed to bring environmental relief and infrastructural robustness to the I-375 corridor. As part of a broader review of I-375's future, this development is poised to enhance the purity of the water flowing into the Detroit River and offer some much-needed alleviation to the city's besieged sewer system during intense weather, as reported by MDOT.
With a watchful eye on environmental sustainability, MDOT's Deputy Engineer Jason Garza noted, "The future of I-375 is still in review but the outfall is a critical infrastructure improvement that fits any alternative selected." Garza explained that the system is not only adaptable to the current review designs but also holds promise for prospective developments past Jefferson Avenue, as noted by MDOT. Nevertheless, this update comes with a trade-off: Schweizer Place will be off-limits between Woodbridge and Atwater streets until June 2026, while detours will shepherd both vehicles and bikes around the closure.
To accommodate the necessary changes, a portion of Atwater Street will be reimagined to support foot traffic between Rivard and Beaubien streets, and a stretch for cyclists will span from Bates to Riopelle streets. The Riverwalk, a popular pedestrian thoroughfare, is expected to stay open and unaffected during the preliminary phase, but will close by November when the heavy lifting begins, lasting until the dawn of April 2026, as per the MDOT announcement.
