CANTON (WWJ) – Talks are underway to transform one of Metro Detroit’s busiest stretches of road in hopes of making it safer for drivers.
There was a public meeting Tuesday night in Canton as officials discussed plans to add a boulevard along Ford Road between I-275 and Shelton.
Then plans would get rid of the center turn lane, eliminating left-hand turns in that stretch, while adding several dedicated passenger vehicle and truck turnarounds.
The Michigan Department of Transportation says the collaborative redesign would reduce the high volume of crashes in that area. How many have there been, exactly? MDOT data shows just under 1,000 crashes along Ford Road, aka M-153, between I-275 and Lotz Road from 2016-2019.
More than 200 of those crashes happened at Ford and Lilley.
That stretch of Ford Road is packed with popular businesses, including the state’s only Ikea store, which brings in people from many neighboring states who may not be familiar with the area.
MDOT says the new redesign would help make the area easier to navigate and safer for drivers.
But some business owners told WWJ’s Ryan Marshall on Tuesday they think it would be more of a headache than anything, especially because it may negatively impact business.
“A lot of the people that come here, they all live close by, so they know how to get here,” said Helen, who works at a jewelry store in the area. “I know some people avoid Ford Road because it’s so busy, but people are used to that traffic. They come, so I don’t know if this is going to make it better or harder for some people.”
As for another employee at a different business in the area, she leans toward the construction making it harder for some people.
“It will affect it by making everyone run late and causing more of an inconvenience than it already is there,” she said. “It just wouldn’t be conducive to most people’s livelihood for the construction that’s continuously going on year after year.”
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According to the project's website, 2024 is the targeted start date, which would see construction begin on Haggerty Road and temporary widening of Ford, before construction on the boulevard begins in 2025.
More information on the Ford Road Boulevard Project, including a FAQ section, can be found at fordroadblvd.com.
