Another major portion of the current project is to build ramps on Moroun’s property to route traffic coming off the freeways to go to the bridge away from Moroun’s Duty Free Shop and gas pumps, to meet federal requirements. (Photo by HB Meeks/Tell Us Detroit)

SW Detroit breaths sigh of relief after new truck route opens near Ambassador Bridge

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - Michigan is celebrating the opening of a new road designed to get thousands of trucks off residential streets near the Ambassador Bridge in Southwest Detroit.

Although the access route opened to traffic Monday afternoon, it was officially opened by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who addressed the community Tuesday morning near the bridge, which is a gateway to Windsor, Ontario, over the Detroit River.

Also in attendance was Michigan Department of Transportation director Kurt Steudle and State Representative Rashida Tlaib, who represents southwest Detroit.

“This is a remarkable day for all of us and all of our families and our children in southwest Detroit,” State Rep. Rashida Tlaib told several dozen well-wishers this morning at a press event to celebrate the opening. “It means we have our neighborhood back.”



The road allows U.S.-bound trucks coming off the Ambassador Bridge to connect directly with nearby interstates without driving along Detroit surface streets. It's a key part of work that remained from a $230 million construction project on the U.S. side.

"This truck road represents an important improvement in traffic flow and the quality of life for residents of southwestern Detroit," MDOT chief region engineer Tony Kratofil said. "Never again will trucks drive through the neighborhoods of southwest Detroit."

The project was delayed after the state sued the bridge company, accusing it of violating the contract by unilaterally making changes to the construction plan.

The suits and appeals dragged on for years with the DIBC losing every battle and appeal.

The issue began to come to a head in February 2010 when Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Prentis Edwards ordered the DIBC to complete its portion of the project.

A year later, Edwards briefly jailed DIBC president Dan Stamper on civil contempt charges for ignoring his orders.

In January, Edwards jailed both Stamper and Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel "Matty" Moroun for 27 hours for civil contempt for lack of progress on his February 2010 orders.