For decades, Downriver residents and motorists have experienced traffic blockages of 45 minutes or more as trains slow and stop heading into Canadian National's Flat Rock yard, blocking traffic at the Allen Road crossing in the city of Woodhaven.
Proposed Solution
Lower the roadway and build 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 up the railroad line crossing bridge and eliminate lengthy delays for motorists.
This requires two separate projects, which includes building a pump station and moving utility, water and sewer lines.
Traffic On average, more than 30,000 vehicles, including 2,140 commercial trucks traverse the Allen Road crossing daily.
Stoppages The average stoppage caused by trains is just over 9 minutes, which amounts to more than one hour per day. It's not uncommon for some stoppages to last 45 minutes or more. In one instance in 2014, due to a mechanical failure, trains blocked the crossing for over six hours.
Impact of Delays Stoppages at the Allen Road crossing congestion impacting the entire Downriver region while delaying commuters, school buses, deliveries and public safety vehicles to one of the region's busiest commercial and industrial corridors.
Beaumont Hospital-Trenton, Downriver's Level II Trauma Center
FCA's Trenton Engine Plant
GM's Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant
Ford's Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Woodhaven Forging and Woodhaven Stamping Plants
Additional automotive supplier facilities
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Woodhaven-Brownstown School District
33rd District Court
Next Steps Approval from Wayne County Board of Commissioners and Woodhaven City Council
Estimated Costs of the two projects is up to $39 million
Road construction: $12 million
$8 million federal FASTLANE grant
Up to $4 million Wayne County (Act 51)
Bridge Construction & Improvements: $27 million
$12 million from State of Michigan/ Department of Transportation
Up to $10.25 million from city of Woodhaven*
Up to $6 million from Wayne County (Act 51)*
*County and city contributions vary based on final project cost.
Opening the Downriver Economic Corridor
Allen Road Grade Separation
Problem
For decades, Downriver residents and motorists have experienced traffic blockages of 45 minutes or more as trains slow and stop heading into Canadian National's Flat Rock yard, blocking traffic at the Allen Road crossing in the city of Woodhaven.
Proposed Solution
Lower the roadway and build 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 up the railroad line crossing bridge and eliminate lengthy delays for motorists.
This requires two separate projects, which includes building a pump station and moving utility, water and sewer lines.
Traffic On average, more than 30,000 vehicles, including 2,140 commercial trucks traverse the Allen Road crossing daily.
Stoppages The average stoppage caused by trains is just over 9 minutes, which amounts to more than one hour per day. It's not uncommon for some stoppages to last 45 minutes or more. In one instance in 2014, due to a mechanical failure, trains blocked the crossing for over six hours.
Impact of Delays Stoppages at the Allen Road crossing congestion impacting the entire Downriver region while delaying commuters, school buses, deliveries and public safety vehicles to one of the region's busiest commercial and industrial corridors.
Beaumont Hospital-Trenton, Downriver's Level II Trauma Center
FCA's Trenton Engine Plant
GM's Brownstown Battery Assembly Plant
Ford's Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Woodhaven Forging and Woodhaven Stamping Plants
Additional automotive supplier facilities
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Woodhaven-Brownstown School District
33rd District Court
Next Steps Approval from Wayne County Board of Commissioners and Woodhaven City Council
Estimated Costs of the two projects is up to $39 million
Road construction: $12 million
$8 million federal FASTLANE grant
Up to $4 million Wayne County (Act 51)
Bridge Construction & Improvements: $27 million
$12 million from State of Michigan/ Department of Transportation
Up to $10.25 million from city of Woodhaven*
Up to $6 million from Wayne County (Act 51)*
*County and city contributions vary based on final project cost.
