  Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 994 Registered: 09-2005 |
There have been previous threads discussing the feasibility of Detroit capping certain portions of its downtown below grade highways. It is interesting to note that the City of Windsor has proposed such a "capping" plan regarding a proposed highway extension that would lead to a new Windsor-Detroit border crossing. The proposal seeks to connect portions of the city that would be divided by the new below grade highway -- something certain Detroit communities could benefit from. Concept drawings are here: http://www.greenlinkwindsor.ca /visualoverview2b.htm and here: http://www.greenlinkwindsor.ca /crosssectiondetails.htm The website can be found here: http://www.greenlinkwindsor.ca / The entire proposal can be found here: http://www.greenlinkwindsor.ca /GreenLinkWindsorReport.pdf | ||
Elsuperbob Member Username: Elsuperbob Post Number: 86 Registered: 03-2007 |
I just ran across a mention of this in an editorial on the border crossing situation in a BizX issue I saw laying around my uncle's shop. Overall the editorial is about the entire border crossing situation but it mentions the "tunneling" of the feeder road in it. I think it's a smart idea and what they probably should have done in Southwest Detroit in the I-75 reconstruction instead of a dinky little pedestrian bridge at Bagley. Of course it all comes down to money. | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 995 Registered: 09-2005 |
Here are samples from other cities: http://www.greenlinkwindsor.ca /howitcouldlook2.htm Of course there are examples in the Metro area, i.e. portions of the Southfield Freeway are capped. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1834 Registered: 10-2006 |
"new below grade highway" otherwise known as a tunnel. "Of course there are examples in the Metro area, i.e. portions of the Southfield Freeway are capped." Actually I-696 | ||
Johnlodge Member Username: Johnlodge Post Number: 3121 Registered: 10-2003 |
Seems expensive to build, and also seems like it would make highway maintenence more expensive as well. Worth it? The caps on I 696 aren't very big. | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 996 Registered: 09-2005 |
Paul: the highway will be below grade and be capped only in certain segments leaving certain segments as open air. I stand corrected on the highway, i.e. 696 (but I wasn't that fair off!).  Interestingly enough, the initial estimates for the below grade highway are only marginally higher than the original below grade highway with service road option. If those cost estimates hold then this GreenLink concept could be very feasible from a financial perspective. It should be noted that Windsor originally wanted the entire highway extension to be tunnelled. GreenLink is a significant concession in this regard. That being said, it is the province that is going to sign the cheque, but if the price is reasonable and the City (and its citizens) support it then GreenLink could see the light of day. It would be great to see such a proposal on the Detroit side of the river. Imagine what it could do for the quality of life and reputation of that city.... |
