Detroit donates $12.5 million to improve city’s ‘most dangerous street’

At least 40 people have died and more than 1,200 have been injured in 2,542 crashes on Detroit’s Gratiot Boulevard in the last five years.

Sam Krassenstein, infrastructure chief for the city of Detroit, said these grim statistics come down to one simple fact: Traffic in the corridor is moving at a very high speed. Krassenstein called Gratiot the most dangerous street in the city.

“You wouldn’t know it by looking at it, but the speed limit on Gratiot is actually only 35 miles per hour,” Krassenstein said Wednesday at a news conference to announce $12.5 million in federal and state funding to improve safety along Gratiot. borders. “And our goal is to get a road design that will allow people to keep up with that pace.”

Krassenstein and others talked about the project Wednesday at a community park in Gratiot near East McNichols Road as cars sped by just feet away from them. Just 10 days ago and less than three miles down the road south there were two more died in an accident In the area of Gratiot and Harper Boulevard, a vehicle reportedly crashed into a liquor store after striking multiple vehicles.

To avoid such tragedies in the future, the city is receiving $10 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the federal Safe Streets for All program, plus $2.5 million from the state-run Michigan Office of Infrastructure.

The money will be used to improve sidewalks, lighting and crosswalks along Gratiot, but the details are still being evaluated.

Matt Galbraith, Michigan Department of Transportation Metro Region planning manager, chairs a committee he says is working on a study to create a “unified vision” for the entire corridor.

“It will ultimately create a long-term vision for the corridor, and safety is really at the heart of that planning effort and the recommendations going forward,” Galbraith said.

Krassenstein said drivers should see the implementation of these plans from 2026. Officials hope the increased security will eventually lead to better opportunities for residents and businesses along the road.

“A sense of safety, a sense of belonging, and the ability to trust and safely access your community assets underscores all community vitality,” said Zach Kolodin, director of the Michigan Office of Infrastructure. “I think we’ll continue to see the entire Gratiot corridor improve its economic prospects, improve quality of life as we continue to see safety improvements.”

Some improvements that can be expected include more pedestrian crossing points and countdown signals that tell pedestrians how long they have to cross. From 2019 to 2023, there have been more than 100 incidents where pedestrians and cyclists were struck on Gratiot, Krassenstein said.

The city will also add boarding islands or other structures at bus stops, especially at stops where accidents involving pedestrians have occurred, as well as “speed feedback” signs that indicate drivers’ speeds and encourage them to slow down when necessary.

Changes such as sidewalk widenings at intersections or hardening of the centerline to slow drivers turning left are also being considered, Krassenstein said.

“So whether you’re a pedestrian, a cyclist, a bus driver, or someone who just drives along the corridor that’s here to park, all types of road users will see the benefits of this project over the next few years,” Krassenstein said.

Owners of businesses along the corridor also hope to see benefits. Khalil “Charlie” Suleiman, who has owned the Dollar Daze store in Gratiot for 25 years, says the neighborhood has seen recent improvements with paving roads and fixing up vacant homes. He said improvements at Gratiot should help continue that positive momentum.

“I’m confident that any investment will have a very positive impact on the neighbours, the people moving in and the businesses moving in,” he said.

The mayor’s office may also meet with police to consider using funds to install security cameras, officials said. Krassenstein said cameras that catch speeders would not be part of the plan, per state law.

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