Corridors

Connecting Communities Through Corridor Investment

Our region is defined by the strong lines and recognizable street names of its main corridors: Woodward, Gratiot, Michigan, Grand River, Jefferson, Washtenaw, and Van Dyke. These corridors are throughlines to our businesses, cultural centers, and neighborhoods, and they’re some of the most-traveled surface roads for all modes of transportation.

Transit-minded investment in our corridors will improve road safety, make travel more convenient, and connect people to jobs, businesses, and events. Better corridors mean better neighborhoods and a more thriving region. 

Summary

For more than a decade, the RTA has studied our corridors to evaluate existing conditions and determine the most effective enhancements. The RTA has identified priority projects along the corridors and is working in conjunction with local communities, the state, and regional partners to pursue funding. While a unified strategy of connectivity is needed to guide work on the corridors, small interventions can dramatically improve the experience for transit riders, pedestrians, and drivers who use the roads.

Corridors are in need of both planning and capital assistance to prepare for modern interventions that make them more attractive to residents, businesses, and visitors.

Enhancements

• Transit prioritization: Signal priority, dedicated or flexible lanes, queue jumps, curb extensions
• Mobility hubs and bus stop improvements: Shelters, bike racks, sidewalk keys, benches, crosswalks, signage and navigation, lighting
• Community development and safety: Public art, beautification, green space around stops

Ongoing Work

The RTA recently completed a framework for transit infrastructure improvements along the region’s major corridors. Our ACT NOW framework suggests bus-rapid-style elements at stops along corridors to accelerate transit and make safer streets.

• M-1 (Woodward Avenue) Corridor Plan
• M-3 PEL Study – Detroit
• US-12 (Michigan Avenue) Corktown Improvement Project

Locally Preferred Alternatives

The RTA conducted studies on five major corridors and presented findings as Locally Preferred Alternatives (LPAs), which are proposed solutions and improvements based on the analysis of existing conditions and extensive community and stakeholder engagement. The LPAs identified a need for transit stop improvements and redesigned streets that serve communities’ current and future needs.

• Woodward Ave Locally Preferred Alt
• Gratiot Ave Locally Preferred Alt
• Michigan Corridor Locally Preferred Alt

Mobility Oriented Development (2020)