Eastpointe Considers New Nine Mile Road Diet Plan for Area Between Schroeder Avenue and Kelly Road

Eastpointe Mayor Michael Klinefelt is once again pushing for a road diet plan on Nine Mile Road, this time focusing on the area between Schroeder Avenue and Kelly Road. The proposed plan would reduce the current five-lane configuration to just three lanes, creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment and potentially attracting new businesses to the corridor.

The decision to revisit the road diet plan comes after initial proposals were met with resistance from residents and business owners in the area. In fact, a recent public hearing saw 35 out of 41 speakers voicing their opposition to the lane reduction, citing concerns about increased traffic congestion and compromised emergency response times.

Despite the pushback, Mayor Klinefelt remains adamant that a lane reduction would make the road safer for pedestrians and help revitalize the area. He has called for updated traffic studies and conceptual designs to be completed as soon as possible to move the project forward.

However, some city council members, including Councilman Rob Baker, are skeptical of the proposal, expressing concerns about the lack of evidence supporting the need for a road diet. Baker, who lives near the affected area, believes that pedestrians are currently safe and that the city should prioritize listening to the concerns of residents and business owners.

As the debate over the Nine Mile road diet continues, it remains to be seen whether Mayor Klinefelt’s vision for a safer and more pedestrian-friendly roadway will prevail, or if opposition from the community will once again halt the project in its tracks.