Overview:
- Study finds 433 trucks traveled French Road in 18 days, with particulate matter peaking at 83 micrograms per cubic meter.
- Two-thirds of 48 east side residents who were surveyed report truck traffic on residential streets, and over half report health impacts.
- Community advocates aim to secure citywide truck route ordinance this spring, following Southwest Detroit restrictions enacted in October.
Months after the city enacted restrictions on truck traffic in Southwest Detroit, discussions are underway about the semis rumbling through the east side.
A study conducted by the Trucks Off Our Streets Coalition used cameras and air quality sensors to track particulate matter and truck traffic along three streets on Detroit’s east side: French Road, Algonquin and Montclair streets.
The coalition, which coordinated the outreach, education, and truck monitoring that led to the restrictions in Southwest Detroit, aims to mobilize residents to advocate for a citywide truck route ordinance late this spring.
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Why it matters
Residents in District 4 and across Detroit are concerned about the volume of truck traffic on residential streets, which can contribute to poor air quality, prompt health problems, and endanger pedestrians. Community groups are advocating for a truck route ordinance and stronger enforcement to divert trucks away from residential neighborhoods.
Who's making public decisions
The Detroit City Council could vote later this year to enact and enforce a citywide truck route ordinance.
Organizations to Follow
What to watch for next
The Trucks Off Our Streets Coalition plans to push for a citywide truck route ordinance.
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“Trucks in Detroit have been a problem forever,” said Marie Garcia, senior director of environmental justice and collective wellbeing at the Eastside Community Network. A handful of residents gathered at the nonprofit last week to hear about the recent study of air quality and truck traffic in Detroit City Council District 4.
“All the way back from 1937 through the 50s, 60s, 70s and still today, vibrations from trucks tear up our homes (and) crack porches, foundations, and sewer pipes.”
In District 4, which encompasses a portion of the city’s far east side, residents say the streets adjacent to their homes are frequently visited by trucks traveling to and from Interstate 94 and industry in the area.
“It’s not just near Stellantis and Jefferson (Avenue),” said Rose Jones, a secretary with the District 4 Community Advisory Council who lives off of Gratiot Avenue near Coleman A. Young International Airport.
“We get everything off of Eight Mile Road … they won’t reroute traffic to Gratiot coming from Eight Mile, they won’t reroute traffic to Conner because of the airport, and our residential area is highly impacted.”
East side study counts trucks, measures pollution
The Trucks Off Our Streets Coalition study found that 433 trucks passed along French Road between Dec. 6 and 23, for an average of 24 trucks a day in that time period. Particulate matter levels reached a peak of 83 micrograms per cubic meter Dec. 22, according to the study.
Montclair and Algonquin streets saw 58 and 114 trucks, respectively, during similar windows of time in January and February, respectively.
A survey of 48 east side residents that accompanied the truck study found that two-thirds of respondents said they’ve witnessed truck traffic on their residential street.
Over half of respondents said truck traffic has affected their health and safety due to worsened respiratory conditions, headaches, or concerns about children playing on nearby busy streets.
In October, new restrictions and routes on truck traffic in Southwest Detroit took effect following community efforts that date as far back as 1938.
The guidance prohibits trucks along stretches of major roads that pass through neighborhoods, such as Livernois, Scotten, and West Grand Boulevard, as well as on side streets in those areas.
“The more truck studies we can do, the more residents getting engaged — they can’t deny it. That’s our hope,” Juliett Knight, a coordinator with Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision and the Trucks Off Our Streets Coalition, said at the Thursday meeting.
Resident Eden Bloom said tanker trunks regularly exit I-94 and travel past his house on Cadillac Boulevard on the way to the Stellantis plant.
Danny Dolley, who lives in the Chandler Park neighborhood, said he’s seen trucks get stuck trying to cut through Montclair Street near the I-94 service drive.
Eastside Community Network’s Garcia said tracking “trucking hot spots” helps community advocates and city officials “determine what future truck routes in Detroit might look like,” diverting traffic, noise, and particulate matter further away from residential streets.
Jones said future iterations of the truck traffic study should include “all the major streets” across the east side: “Charlevoix, Kercheval, Gratiot, Jefferson, Conner … Van Dyke, McNichols, Seven Mile, Eight Mile.”
MORE ON DETROIT TRUCK TRAFFIC
Detroiters describe citywide struggle with truck traffic: ‘Our streets are sinking’
Children living within two blocks of I-75 have asthma rates 25% to 42% higher than those living further away from major roads, says Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation’s Rachel Marquez.
Detroit cracks down on Southwest truck traffic with new restrictions: Activist ‘beyond thrilled’
The truck restrictions could be expanded beyond Southwest Detroit, where “the issue is most severe,” says city’s infrastructure chief.
Detroit’s truck route ordinance: Will it finally bring relief to Southwest?
The City of Detroit aims to enact a truck route ordinance, addressing long-standing pollution and traffic issues in residential areas by designating specific routes for trucks.