MDOT Hosting Meeting to Discuss Fort Street Project

The Michigan Department of Transportation is hosting a Tuesday meeting at Crystal Gardens in Southgate to give an update on the $40 million Fort Street reconstruction project.

The meeting is geared toward business owners in the affected area between Sibley and Goddard, but anyone is welcome to attend.

“The intent of the meeting is for business owners, but we won’t turn anyone away," MDOT spokesman Rob Morosi said. "We'll give an overview of the project in and of itself, discuss our accomplishments to date and address any concerns."

The cities of Wyandotte and Southgate have partnered together during the construction project to encourage people to continue to frequent businesses along Fort Street even though getting to them is a bit of a headache due to the lane closures.

The two cities are trying to deliver that message through signs on marquees and message boards in the Fort Street median.

“They are going to pay the price short term," Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa said at a recent Wyandotte City Council meeting. "We urge all of our Downriver residents to support those businesses on Fort Street.”

Morosi said MDOT takes the concerns seriously and does everything possible to minimize any inconveniences to business owners and consumers. 

"We’re never going to block access to businesses," he said. "The majority of the large utilities are always put toward the median side to minimize the impact to the driveways of the businesses."

As of Thursday, the project is keeping motorists

Instead, drivers are forced to turn right onto Fort where they can make a "Michigan left" at the first turnaround to get back on track. Eureka also is narrowed to one lane in each direction approaching Fort to accommodate everyone making a right-hand turn.

The median closure will last through April while state workers replace underground storm sewer pipes.

Drivers saw on Ford (North Line). That stretch of the project has been completed.

“The reason the Eureka closure is so much longer is because the main draining line for the county runs right under Eureka Road,” Morosi said.

Tuesday's meeting begins at 9 a.m. at Crystal Gardens, 16703 Fort St., Southgate.