State Announces First-of-Its-Kind Connected Corridor from Detroit to Ann Arbor

Cavnue, a subsidiary of Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, has been named the Master Developer of the project. Cavnue will coordinate with the Michigan Department of Transit (MDOT), Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), as well as a host of industry and local partners to execute Phase One of this project – a 24-month period to determine the project’s viability through technology testing, roadway design, and exploration of financial models.

The corridor seeks to connect Detroit to Ann Arbor, as well as key destinations along Michigan Avenue and Interstate 94 through Wayne and Washtenaw counties.

The project will advance both mobility and policy goals, creating “future proof” solutions that will evolve to meet transportation needs from CAVs like vans and shuttles to freight and personal vehicles. From a policy perspective, this advancement will contribute to improved safety, regional planning, and considerations to ensure the transportation workforce is considered through the process and supported with good-paying jobs.

As that state’s only automotive cluster organization, MICHauto has long been a fierce supporter of such next-generation mobility developments, engaging with the industry’s top innovators, leaders, and policy-makers to make projects like this feasible and bolster the state’s position as a global automotive leader.

MICHauto Executive Director Glenn Stevens Jr. shared his insight with The Detroit News, recalling that about six years ago, statewide business and elected leaders identified the need to craft a plan to combat the Silicon Valley vs. Detroit perception.

“We all collectively said, ‘Not if we have anything to do with it. We built this industry over a century, and it’s been our lifeblood,'” said Stevens. On leading the way in next-generation mobility development he continued, “you have to have the public-private partnerships focused on execution.”

Learn more about the project and view the full announcement.