Karen Kendrick-Hands, co-founder of Transportation Riders United is trying to get the word out about plans by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to “improve” I-94. She wants the public to have a chance to voice concerns regarding plans to widen the seven-mile stretch between Conner and I-96 — costing about $1.3 billion.
Kendrick-Hands says that the “impact will be massive.” “If you read the study very carefully, the plan is to expand the highway for more truck traffic,” she says. “This will add a considerable amount of cancer-causing pollution.”
Kendrick-Hands is frustrated by the limited public comment period. “MDOT had 10 years to study this project and the public has only 10 weeks,” she says.
“The document studies all the impacts of the proposal,” says Jose Lopez, public hearings officer. “This is a transportation corridor so it serves all Michigan drivers who want to use that corridor.”
The project’s environmental impact study can be found at www.mdot.state.mi.us/i94rehab/. MDOT will hold public hearings on the project March 5 and 6, at the Museum of African American History and Kettering High School from 3:30-5 and 7-8:30 p.m. Comments can also be sent to [email protected]. The comment period is until March 27.
News Hits was written by Ann Mullenand edited by W. Kim Heron. He can be reached by phone at 313-202-8004 or via e-mail
