Alternative An alternative is a design solution for the project. An alternatives analysis is conducted for the project that is compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The alternatives analysis includes a systematic and open process of developing alternatives, technical evaluation, public input, and screening alternatives that must provide justification for why alternatives are eliminated or carried forward. As part of this process, there are various milestones that represent different types of alternatives that are described below. “No-Build” Alternative: This alternative includes only the current transportation system with no improvements other than routine maintenance. It must always be included in the analysis to serve as a baseline against which the other alternatives can be compared. Illustrative Alternatives: This includes the initial range of reasonable conceptual alternatives that were developed based on the purpose and need of the project and stakeholder input. The level of detail of alternatives are low but consistent between each alternative. Practical Alternatives: This includes the set of alternatives that were carried forward after the initial screening of the Illustrative Alternatives. At this stage of the process, Practical Alternatives have more detail design completed to better assess technical performance as well as impacts and benefits. Public input is also obtained at this stage and considered part of a more detailed screening process. Preferred Alternative: After screening the Practical Alternatives, one alternative is carried forward as the Preferred Alternative. This alternative is the one that best addresses the purpose and need of the project and considers factors from the technical evaluation, and a detailed environmental evaluation, including impacts and benefits to the human and natural environment. A public hearing is conducted at this stage to obtain public input on the Preferred Alternative. Selected Alternative: The Preferred Alternative becomes the Selected Alternative when the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approves the project. For the I-375 project, FHWA approval is obtained when they issue the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

Environmental Assessment (EA) An overview of an agency’s responsibilities when the significance of a federal-aid project’s environmental impacts is uncertain. The EA analyzes potential impacts and suggested measures for minimizing harm to the project area.

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) A FONSI is issued when environmental analysis and interagency review during the EA process find a project to have no significant impacts on the quality of the environment. The FONSI document is the EA modified to reflect all applicable comments and responses.

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) NEPA requires federal agencies to evaluate the potential social, economic, cultural, and natural environmental impacts of a proposed action before making a decision. Agencies must provide opportunities for public review and comment as part of the evaluation of potential impacts.

Planning and Environmental Linkages Study (PEL) A collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning process. A PEL uses the information, analysis, and products developed during planning to inform the environmental review process.

Located in the city of Detroit, I-375 is a 1-mile-long freeway that connects the I-75 freeway directly to Jefferson Avenue. Through the I-375 project, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) plans to transform the I-375 freeway south of I-75 into a grade-level boulevard with signalized intersections. There will also be a new interchange design at I-75 for access to the new boulevard, and a short segment of I-75 freeway will be realigned.

The project will address the outdated interchange design and deteriorated bridges and roadways to meet existing and future transportation needs, improve connectivity and access for all users and align with local future development and placemaking opportunities.

The project benefits created for the community include the following:

• Strengthen existing and future transportation, multimodal personal mobility choices, and roadway safety conditions for all users.
• Improving connectivity to surrounding areas for both vehicular and nonmotorized users.
• Enhancing access enables future development and other placemaking opportunities with official land use and long-term economic development plans.
• Enhancing connections to existing and planned transit services and improving community health, equity, and safety.

Additional benefits from the project will be outlined in the Community Enhancements Plan, Land Use Framework Plan, and Aesthetic Guide once they are complete.

There are many ways to participate. The most effective is in-person participation and/or online public meetings and comment periods. Opportunities to engage will be listed online at www.Michigan.gov/I375 in early 2023. Postcards to residents and businesses 1-mile out from I-375, news releases, social media, and other notifications will be used to inform the public about meetings.

To stay informed, subscribe to the e-mail distribution list. Provide a comment online or e-mail MDOT-I-375Corridor@Michigan.gov.

The project has completed the environmental review and is entering early design.

Items already studied and completed include:

• Defining the purpose and need of the project.
• Evaluating and choosing an alternative in the Environmental Assessment.
• Selecting the preferred alternative in the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
• Updates to the preferred alternative to become the design alternative post-FONSI.
• Updated traffic analysis with post-pandemic data.

Items to be studied and completed before construction:

• Creating policies and procedures based on the Community Enhancements Plan, Land Use Framework Plan, and a visual characteristics Aesthetic Design Guide.
• Completing the early and final design of the corridor based on the design alternative selected through the environmental phase.
• Developing maintenance of traffic scenarios that will be implemented during construction to minimize impacts on local businesses. A traffic management plan will also be created for special events in the theater and stadium district.

MDOT is in the process of posting the Request for Proposals for the Progressive Design-Build contract, and is looking to bring the selected team onboard in August 2024.