Detroit Plans to Build Three Park-Covered Bridges Over I-75 to Connect Downtown Areas

Plans are taking shape to span Interstate 75 with three green-topped walkways, linking Detroit's downtown to its arena district and Brush Park area. The bridges aim to stitch back together neighborhoods split by the sunken highway.

This month, AECOM started a year-long study to check if the project can work. They got $2 million from the federal government to look at the stretch of I-75 from 3rd Avenue to Brush Street. Their track record shows success—they built a similar bridge in Oak Park, as per Axios.

"A tentative plan with three caps over the highway, each filled with public park space, came out of community engagement sessions last year," James Fidler, urban evolution strategist at Downtown Detroit Partnership, told a source.

The Downtown Detroit Partnership leads the work, teaming up with state road officials and city planners. They've set up a public meeting on Thursday, October 2 (5:30-6:30 p.m.), as per Downtown Detroit. Local folks can learn more and ask questions about what's ahead.

The project draws on proven methods. AECOM's past work on the Oak Park cap shows they know how to build these green bridges right.

Engineers won't finish their blueprints until 2026 or 2027. Construction must wait until 2028 at the earliest. Money needs to come from many places—the federal government, Michigan state funds, city cash, and private donors will all need to pitch in.

No one knows the final price tag yet. The study will add up costs for building materials and work hours needed to make these parks in the sky.

This work stands apart from other road changes nearby. State officials put the brakes on plans for Interstate 375, which would have changed the riverfront area east of downtown.