Truck drivers moving through Southwest Detroit should plan ahead as the city introduces new restrictions on commercial vehicle traffic in residential areas.
The Detroit Department of Public Works (DPW) announced on Wednesday, Oct. 1, that restrictions will limit trucks on certain major roads passing through residential neighborhoods and on all purely residential streets. The initiative is designed to enhance safety and improve the quality of life for local residents while still accommodating the needs of commercial traffic.
“These restrictions, which will be accompanied by traffic enforcement and education, are the result of years of study, coordination and planning with the City, residents, small business owners and truck operators,” the department stated. “The City conducted an exhaustive analysis of the various truck traffic generators in Southwest Detroit and identifying travel behavior to and from these generators, particularly the Livernois Junction Intermodal Terminal, which has more than 1,200 truck trips per day.”
Effective Dates and Affected Routes
The new truck restrictions went into effect Monday, Oct. 6. Truck traffic will be prohibited on the following streets:
- Livernois Avenue between Vernor Highway and I-75 Service Drive
- Dragoon Street between Vernor Highway and I-75 Service Drive
- Clark Avenue between Toledo Street and I-75 Service Drive
- Scotten Street between Toledo Street and I-75 Service Drive
- Grand Boulevard between Toledo Street and I-75 Service Drive
- Lonyo Street between St. John Street and Michigan Avenue
- Central Street between Parkwood Street and Michigan Avenue
- Toledo Street between Livernois Avenue and Clark Avenue
- All streets within the area bounded by Vernor Highway, I-75 Service Drive, and Woodmere Street unless otherwise posted
Truckers Respond Positively
DPW Deputy Director and Chief of Infrastructure Sam Krassenstein said truckers have been cooperative regarding the new measures.
“While this may result in somewhat longer routes for truckers, it will improve the quality of life for residents and businesses,” he said. “The trucking industry has been understanding and supportive of the need for these changes.”
Krassenstein emphasized that the primary focus of the restrictions is to minimize cut-through traffic and address congestion between Vernor Highway and I-75.
“Trucking is critically important to our local economy, but as that economy has grown, the increased truck traffic has created environmental, health and quality of life issues for residents of the Southwest Detroit community,” he said. “It’s taken intense work and input from all sides—City, industry and residents—to roll out a strategy that balances needs, health and safety of the Southwest Detroit citizens and the business of the trucking industry.”
Enforcement and Exceptions
The DPW plans to increase enforcement to ensure compliance with the new rules, including monitoring trucks parked overnight on residential streets. While penalties have not yet been finalized, Krassenstein noted that violations will carry consequences “much more severe than just a parking citation.”
Limited access will still be permitted for commercial vehicles making local deliveries. Approved routes for these deliveries include:
- Central Street between John Kronk Street and Parkwood Street
- Lonyo Street between John Kronk Street and St. John Street
- Vernor Highway between Woodmere Street and Dix Street
- Vernor Highway between I-75 Service Drive and Livernois Avenue
- Springwells Street between Vernor Highway and I-75 Service Drive
Truck drivers are encouraged to review the complete list of approved truck routes provided by the city to plan deliveries and avoid violations.
Source: Land Line Media
