WOODHAVEN, Mich. (WWJ) -- Officials have taken steps forward to correct an issue that has plagued Downriver drivers for decades.
The city of Woodhaven and Wayne County on Monday announced plans to make road and bridge improvements to Allen and Van Horn Roads in Woodhaven, including a railroad bridge grade separation, funded by a combination of state, local and federal funds.
The $40 million project seeks to alleviate congestion in those areas that has for years been caused by trains slowing and stopping on their way into Canadian National's Flat Rock yard.
Officials say on average, more than 30,000 vehicles -- including more than 2,000 commercial trucks -- pass through the Allen Road crossing daily, causing back-ups and issues on the roads, not only in the immediate area, but throughout the city, noting the obstruction to emergency vehicles is particularly troubling.
The average stoppage caused by trains is just over nine minutes, officials say, and it's not uncommon for some stoppages to last 45 minutes or more at that location. In one instance in 2014, due to a mechanical failure, trains blocked the crossing for over six hours.
Officials have proposed two projects that would cost an estimated $39 million to correct the issue. The endeavor would include lowering the roadway and building a rail bridge over Allen Road. The grade separation projects would create a separate bridge for the CN railroad line, resulting in Allen Road going under the railroad line crossing/bridge and eliminating the lengthy delays for motorists.
