The Michigan Department of Transportation is proposing to redesign Michigan Avenue in Detroit's Corktown, from I-96 to Campus Martius, to make it safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit riders.

Unfortunately, some businesses and residents are opposing the plan because it would involve a “road diet,” repurposing car-only lanes for use by transit, autonomous vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians.

As it's currently designed, Michigan Avenue is built for cars, not people. It's dangerous to cross on foot. Pedestrian facilities are limited to narrow sidewalks, and bike lanes are at the same level as the street.

The current design of the road dates to the 1930s, when the City demolished nearly 200 businesses along the south side of Michigan Avenue in order to widen the road.

The redesign of Michigan Avenue, adding dedicated transit lanes, wider sidewalks, and safer bicycle facilities, will make the neighborhood safer for everyone and help to promote the revitalization of the area, just as the similar Livernois Avenue streetscape project has in northwest Detroit.

We urge MDOT to move forward with the proposed redesign and make Michigan Avenue a better place for people, not just cars.