DETROIT – State Representative Gabe Leland (D-Detroit) today urged commuters to use the new HOV lanes on Michigan Avenue and the new Gateway Express bus service, saying they are excellent ways to save money on gas, reduce pollution and make the drive faster and smoother for everyone during the massive MDOT Gateway Project.
"The shutdown of part of I-75 provides a great opportunity for commuters to explore more economical and environmentally conscious ways of getting into downtown Detroit," said Leland, who is a member of the House Transportation Committee and a strong advocate of fuel efficiency and mass transit. "Carpooling or taking the bus both reduce the number of vehicles on the road, and they are also convenient ways of getting to work that can save residents money. Once people see how well carpooling and taking the bus work in this situation, I believe they'll want to do it more in the future."
The new HOV lanes – Michigan's first ever – make up one of the alternate routes available to commuters during the 22-month closure of a section of I-75 from Rosa Parks Boulevard to Clark Street as part of the state Department of Transportation's Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project, which officially kicked off Monday. The HOV, or carpool, lanes run along a 5.25-mile stretch of Michigan Avenue from Wyoming Avenue to Detroit's Central Business District. The lanes are reserved for vehicles carrying at least two people. They operate during weekday rush hours, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The new Gateway Express commuter bus service runs during those same hours along a route from the Gibraltar Trade Center to Larned and St. Antoine streets in downtown Detroit. The bus picks up commuters at three SMART Park & Ride lots in the Downriver area. Commuters can ride for free through Monday, March 3. For fares and more information on the Gateway Express service, residents can call SMART Customer Service at (866) 962-5515.