Detroit (WWJ) -- What was expected to be two long years for southwest Detroit and Mexican town was cut short by five months with the symbolic ribbon cutting and Thursday's re-opening of I-75 as part of the Gateway project.
"This early reopening will have a positve impact on business and motorists throughout our region, but we're especially pleased it will benefit the residents and businesses of Mexicantown in southwest Detroit and the 100,000 motorists who travel through here each day." said MDOT Area Engineer Tony Kratofill at today's ceremony
Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano says the development will bring a big boost not only to Mexicantown, but also the area.
"I believe something like 80 percent of the trade between Canada and the United States crosses the border right here in our region," he said. "So it's critically important when we recruit international businesses one of things we talk about is a mature infrastructure."
While the Gateway project holds great promise for the region's economic future, Mexicantown's businesses suffered the most, losing as much as half their business during construction...that was not lost upon Kathy Wendler, President of the Southwest Detroit Business Association during today's ribbon cutting...
"This development is a tribute to the tenacity of the residents," she said. "The business owners of southwest Detroit..we are open for business...your direct connect to the I-75 freeway is back!"
Residents and businesses say the completion of the project will benefit the area with trucks no longer on neighborhood streets, and the east and west sides ofMeixcantown re-united by the new Bagley pedestrian bridge.
More work has to be done to ramps and bridges, along with the Bagley Street pedestrian bridge, all being completed later this year.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
