Dear Neighbor,
Our roads, bridges, rail infrastructure, water and sewerage infrastructure, and maritime industry all have had needs that require our attention. The recent flooding of roads and basements due to the storms on June 25-26 have negatively impacted so many residents, and this impact will be felt for a long time. The flooding also was a stark reminder that we need to invest much more in climate-resilient water and roadway infrastructure to prevent this type of damage in the future. My colleagues and I are working on proposals to address climate resiliency in the long term. Michigan’s infrastructure is due to receive several improvements in the coming months and years, including the Woodhaven grade separation project, repairs to the Grosse Ile bridge, continuation of the I-94 modernization project, construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and changes to I-75 and its overpasses, the implementation of speed humps in Detroit neighborhoods, as well as plans to increase Michigan’s broadband access.
Thank you to those who attended our Trains, Trucks, and Traffic virtual town hall on May 26. It was a great discussion, bringing together Downriver, Southwest Detroit, and the East Side! Ensuring Detroit and Downriver residents are prioritized when it comes to new or upgraded infrastructure is an important issue, and I will keep working hard in Lansing to advocate for our communities’ needs.
As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Working for you,
Stephanie Chang
State Senator
District 1 Minority Floor Leader
Web: SenatorStephanieChang.com
Email: SenSChang@senate.michigan.gov
Toll-free: (855) DIST001 or (855) 347-8001
District: (313) 922-6949
Community Sparks Action to Create Safer Neighborhoods
A new initiative is taking place in Detroit neighborhoods to alleviate the amount of reported speeding and reckless driving occurring in the city. The plan is to install 4,500 speed humps throughout the city, covering around 3,200 residential blocks. A speed hump is a rounded, raised area designed to reduce vehicular speed. The installation of speed humps does not take up parking spaces and has been effective in causing drivers to slow down to avoid jarring their vehicle.
The city allocated $11.5 million to this project, as it would create safer neighborhoods for children to play in and new employment opportunities for residents. Implementing speed humps is an effective way to decrease driving speed on residential roads without invasive construction, while maintaining established parking spaces.
If you feel that your street needs a speed hump installed, visit the City of Detroit’s website to fill out the speed hump request form at DetroitMI.gov. The City of Detroit determines which speed hump requests will be fulfilled after considering traffic volume data, proximity to schools and parks, the speed limit, police data related to speeding and crashes, and several other factors.
The Impact of Traffic on Public Health in Detroit Neighborhoods
The University of Michigan, in partnership with the Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition and residents, recently conducted a traffic study and looked at the impact of noise caused by trucks in Southwest Detroit. The findings add to existing public health concerns, as the area is a hub for many logistics centers and freight operations, and manufacturing and assembly plants, in addition to heavy truck traffic at the U.S.-Canada border crossing.
After measuring the noise levels over time at several homes in Southwest Detroit, the study found that noise levels exceeded the maximum recommendations set forth by the World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency, which are 55 and 53 decibels respectively. In Southwest Detroit, the average noise level is 62.1 decibels. Elevated noise levels have been shown to affect a person’s sleep, cardiovascular system, physiological health, and cognitive abilities. These issues can lead to a host of health problems that will affect all residents, regardless of age or background.
This research backs up what residents have been saying for years: We must work to find solutions to stop the constant flow of truck traffic on residential streets in our communities.
Michigan’s Mission to Expand Broadband Access
Earlier this year, Gov. Whitmer issued Executive Directive 2021-02 that established the Michigan High Speed-Internet Office (MIHI). This initiative is designed to make high-speed internet more accessible and affordable to households that need it.
As we’ve all seen during the pandemic, having a reliable internet connection is necessary to stay connected to school, work, family, and friends. There are still many households in Michigan that struggle due to lack of internet access. This plan will also benefit small businesses who may now rely on their internet presence to stay open, as well as people who need to communicate with a medical professional via telemedicine and communities that may not have previously had the infrastructure to support high-speed internet.
In addition to the formation of the MIHI, Gov. Whitmer also signed the Broadband Expansion Act of Michigan, securing the Connecting Michigan Communities (CMIC) grant program. This program has already announced $12.7 million in grant awards that will help connect more than 12,200 homes and businesses throughout Michigan.
Through the new program, eligible customers may receive a $50 monthly discount on their broadband bill — or $75 a month for eligible consumers living on qualifying tribal lands.
The broadband benefit program also provides for a one-time device discount of up to $100 for a laptop or desktop computer or tablet purchased through an eligible provider.
A household is eligible for the Emergency Broadband Benefit program if a member of the household meets one of these criteria:
• Has an income at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines or participates in assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline;
- Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, or did so in the 2019-2020 school year;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since Feb. 29, 2020; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
There are three ways to apply for the benefit:
Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and find participating providers near you.
Call (833) 511-0311 for a mail-in application and return it along with proof of eligibility to:
Emergency Broadband Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742
Mass Transit System Update
Below you will find updates on several of Detroit’s transit services that were previously closed due to COVID-19 or operating at reduced levels.
SMART Flex
Dearborn Routes 160, 140, FAST Michigan
Service Operates: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m. Price: $2 – $8
Exciting news for public transportation riders: SMART has started to offer a new service called SMART Flex. This new service allows riders to request a shuttle on demand in three different zones including Dearborn, Hall Road, and Troy. You then can ride to any destination within the zone. For Senate District 1 transit riders, you can take FAST Michigan or SMART Route 140 and 160 to enter the Dearborn SMART Flex zone. This will allow riders to explore, shop, and work anywhere in the Dearborn area while providing reliable access to affordable transportation. To get started, simply download the SMART Flex app to your phone and book your trip.
DART Pass
A reminder that both SMART and DART systems use the same fare system, DART, and a $2 ticket will get you unlimited rides for four hours on both systems. This fare system will allow seamless transfers at the Detroit city border with the need for only one ticket. Reduced fares are available, and you can buy the tickets either at a ticket center, participating retailers, using cash onboard, or through the app. The Q-Line will also take DART tickets when service resumes later this summer.
FUTURE OF FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT
Pres. Biden recently announced his $2 trillion infrastructure bill that would help fix thousands of roads and bridges, support the development of sustainable and weather- resistant infrastructure, modernize public transit systems, and replace all lead water pipes in the country. Although it has not been specified how much funding Michigan would receive from this bill, it has been announced how the money will be used.
Michigan faces some of the worst road conditions, and this infrastructure bill would delegate funding toward the continued upkeep of Michigan’s 7,300 miles of highway and 1,219 bridges. Additionally, the state intends to dedicate funding for the modernization and accessibility of public transportation in urban areas, like Detroit. This bill also allocates money toward the replacement of all lead water pipes, supporting the president’s initiative to guarantee that no child is forced to drink contaminated water.
Other aspects of this bill include funding for more affordable and sustainable housing, infrastructure allowing all families access to internet, provide accessible caregiving and childcare services, expanding specialized care for veterans, and the creation of clean- energy jobs.
OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES
Some of my colleagues in the legislature have introduced bills to ensure funding for a grade separation fund that could go a long way toward addressing blocked rail crossings in our state. I am eager to see these funding solutions become law and look forward to supporting this legislation in the coming months.
I have been working with a some maritime, environmental, and community stakeholders to begin discussions about enhancing Michigan’s maritime industry through more state funding and involvement, along with environmental and community protections as more development takes place. Over the past few years, we have talked to experts in Long Beach, California about their green port policy, learned about the tremendous growth at the Port of Monroe, and had ongoing discussions with the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority about the possibilities for the future. I look forward to continuing these discussions and introducing legislation in the future.
Gordie Howe International Bridge: What You Need To Know
With the steady rising of the two main pillars that will support the innovative cable-stayed bridge design, the first signs of the Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB) are now a part of Detroit’s iconic skyline. Scheduled to be completed in 2024, the bridge will serve as an alternative and modern travel route from Detroit to Windsor. Once completed, the GHIB will be among the top five longest bridges in North America.
Since 2015, I have been a part of the GHIB Community Advisory Group, which has successfully advocated for numerous community benefits, including a home improvement and home swap program, environmental and quality of life protections for those living closest to the bridge plaza, workforce training, road enhancements, and safety improvements. I continue to work with stakeholders to address remaining community needs such as vegetative buffering, the noise wall, and school air filtration systems.
The bridge is already increasing employment and economic development in Metro Detroit. Once completed, in addition to alleviating traffic at other entry points into Detroit and Canada with six lanes of traffic, the GHIB will also allow for safe separation between passenger and large commercial traffic and include safe accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists.
HELPFUL FLOOD RESOURCES
American Red Cross
If you are in immediate need of help, you can contact the local Red Cross at (313) 833-4440.
Detroit Water and Sewer Department (DWSD):
• Call (313) 267-8000 or use the Improve Detroit mobile app. The DWSD phone line is staffed 24/7.
• If you have water damage due to the severe flooding resulting from the rain event on June 25-26, 2021, contact the city for the necessary form to begin the damage claim process, as well as alert the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department so Field Services staff can be dispatched to severely flooded areas. State law requires you file a written claim with your local water utility, DWSD in this case, within 45 days of when the overflow or backup was discovered.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Call 2-1-1 if you need assistance.