Jump to main content.

Important Alert: Facts About Southwest Detroit Projects Currently Under Discussion

Site Navigation

OR

Research Project Search
Enter Search Term:

NCER Advanced Search

Community Action Against Asthma is partnership involved in identifying and addressing environmental factors associated with childhood asthma. One of our goals is to inform members of the community about activity in the community that may have an impact on the health of the community. We have an opportunity to have a voice in planning decisions that will shape our neighborhoods and affect our children and our quality of life for decades to come. Before changes occur, we need the facts about what is planned. We need to be shown that any changes will be safe for us and our children. The decision-makers need to know what we think.

The following are some proposed projects we are aware of that have potential implications for our health and our quality of life. The information came from project flyers and public documents as of February 12, 2004. Changes may occur after this date.

Proposed Southwest Detroit Sludge Incinerator Plant: Construction of a new sludge incinerator in Southwest Detroit has not yet been approved. Synagro will run this proposed private facility, which could open in the Spring of 2006. The facility would process approximately 300 dry tons of sludge per day and palletize 100 dry tons and will use 200 tons for land application or mine reclamation. Synagro states that the new facility will reduce emissions by 40-50% (compared to current incineration processes) and create 50-60 jobs. AFSCME and current employees of the Detroit Waste Water Treatment Plan are concerned about the privatization of the facility and any loss of jobs. Synagro states that odors will not bother surrounding communities, but a similar Synagro facility in the Bronx has received complaints. For more information, contact Lisa Goldstein of Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision: 313-842-1961.

Southwest Area Master Plan: This document, once approved, will determine plans for what can and cannot be built in southwest Detroit. The current plan allows light industrial developments. For additional information, call Southwest Neighborhood City Hall at 313-297-9287 or the South End Neighborhood City Hall at 313-383-6783.

Bridgewatch Detroit is a grassroots coalition working to protect the community from sprawling border facilities. They support clean air and work to minimize the impact of trucks in neighborhoods. Contact Britt or Amy at 313-967-9898 or bridgewatch@mexicantown.org for more information.

Detroit River Tunnel Partnership (DRTP) is a partnership between Canadian-based organizations to design ways to alleviate congestion at the Ambassador Bridge. A $600 million dollar project is planned to convert Michigan and Central Depot--the old train station--into an underground railroad connected to the bridge. The DRTP proposes working with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to create ramps that would lead trucks directly from the tunnel to the freeway. Some worry that because there is a desire to create the additional border crossing quickly, this direct connection between the tunnel and freeways might not happen. An interim route where trucks would access the freeways using surface streets in Mexicantown and Corktown has been proposed.

Bi-National Transportation Border Study is a long-term planning study aimed at improving traffic flow at the border of Southwest Ontario and Southeast Michigan. Their planning process has been accelerated and they plan to invite the public to provide input and advice through consultation groups and open houses. For more information, call: 1-800-900-2649 or go to www.PartnershipBorderStudy.com.

The DIFT

The Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal (or DIFT) is an attempt to consolidate truck-to-rail freight activity in Southwest Detroit. The current plan calls for a 595 acre expansion of the 300 acre Junction Yard intermodal freight terminals on Livernois at John Kronk. Three alternative DIFT sites include Corktown, the Southfield Freeway at Interstate 96, and Ferndale. A Local Advisory Council has been established to provide an opportunity for local residents to obtain information and voice their comments and concerns about the DIFT. The Michigan Department of Transportation believes the DIFT would help make Detroit and southeast Michigan more competitive in a global economy. They also say it will create jobs. Some residents in southwest Detroit are concerned that the DIFT would have negative effects like breaking up the community, displacing homes and businesses, stifling community revitalization, further degrading air quality and existing roadways, increasing noise and vibrations as greater numbers of trucks are routed through neighborhoods, reducing safety, eroding property values, and potentially creating more health problems. Some feel that southwest side residents already bear an unfair burden of polluting heavy industry, trucking and a lack of environmental enforcement and that the DIFT would add to that burden.

Should I worry about health impacts of the DIFT or other projects that might increase truck traffic?

Fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), is made of particles so small that several thousand of them could fit in the period at the end of this sentence. These particles can pass through the nose and throat and become lodged in the lungs, aggravating respiratory conditions. Diesel engines are one of the largest sources of fine particulate matter. More truck traffic would potentially increase the levels of PM 2.5 in the air. Several studies in other large cities found negative health effects at PM 2.5 levels at and below those currently measured in Detroit. Scientific studies have found that exposure to PM 2.5 can cause illness--such as increased hospitalization from heart attacks, congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia--aggravation of breathing problems like asthma and emphysema, and premature death. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that those most at risk from diesel exhaust are those with existing heart or lung disease, asthma, or other respiratory problems, children, and elderly people. Several studies are underway to better assess the effects of diesel related components of PM on children's asthma symptoms.

PM also contributes to haze, which restricts visibility and contributes to the formation of ozone, acid rain, and global climate change. Ground-level ozone is a respiratory irritant that can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing and coughing. According to the American Lung Association, long-term exposure to high levels of ozone can lead to reduced lung function, inflammation of the lung lining, and increased respiratory problems.

Who is opposed to the DIFT?

The Detroit City Council has made two public declarations of opposition to the current DIFT plan. On July 31, 2002 the council stated that the DIFT not been shown to be necessary. They repeated this sentiment on June 25,2003 and also passed a separate resolution criticizing MDOT's public participation process, their failure to include public health impacts in the Environmental Impact Statement, and environmental justice concerns. (Contact the Detroit City Council at 313-224-3443.) Also, the City Planning Commission opposed the current DIFT plan in a report dated June 2002. Ford Motor Company also opposes it, claiming that the huge facility is not needed (Detroit News 7-16-03).

Who is organizing regarding the DIFT?

Centers Funded By:
EPA Home NIEHS Centers for Children's Environmental Health

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.