It’s called a “road diet,” and for those who enjoy biking the city it’s a highly appetizing plan.
The city of Detroit is working with the Michigan Department of Transportation to shrink the amount of the car lanes on Grand River Avenue. The move would potentially clear the way for additional street parking and add a bicycle lane from Cass Avenue to I-94 along Grand River Avenue.
According to preliminary information released by MDOT, Grand River Avenue would shrink from seven lanes, two in each direction with a turn lane, to a five-lane road.
“I would like that,” said Anthony Nix, a bicyclist who relies on his bicycle for his daily commute. “People are looking at the traffic going one way, but they’re not looking at where I’m going on a bike — this could help.”
The changes are not a done deal. An open house is scheduled for Thursday, August 10 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit.
Grand River is already being resurfaced as part of a $1.5 million project. The protected bike lanes would be an addition to the project — it would double-down on recent moves within the city to create more biker-friendly roads.
Bright green biker lanes have begun popping up recently, including on a large section of Cass Avenue near I-75 near the District Detroit area. Those lanes include an area for bicyclists to stop ahead of cars at busy intersection. The lanes also leave room for bicyclists to turn left onto another street.
