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Crumbling Bridges, Warehouses Define New Dequindre Cut

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Construction is underway at the Dequindre Cut extension, where another mile of abandoned railroad is being transformed into greenway. This is no easy task. Running from Milwaukee Junction to the riverfront, this spur of the Grand Trunk Railroad was abandoned in the early '80s, allowing plenty of time for vegetation and garbage to take over.

The first half of the Cut travels through Lafayette Park, a manicured landscape cleared of its density in a 50s-era urban renewal project. Not the extension. The new trail tours the old warehouses near Eastern Market, widening where trains would leave the main track to be loaded with cargo. Construction is scheduled to finish up by November 2014.

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Beginning of northern extension

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As it stands today, the Dequindre Cut dead ends at Gratiot Avenue, where 8 lanes of vehicles freshly discharged from I-75 make a crossing near impossible. The new trail will go under the Gratiot overpass, continuing north through the Eastern Market area.

Adelaide Bridge

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The Cut passes under this bridge, which will be rebuilt.

Division Bridge

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Another old bridge in Eastern Market that'll be rebuilt with the extension of the Cut.

Alfred Bridge

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For whatever reason, the Alfred Street bridge is being demolished rather than rebuilt. The blight and graffiti is pretty bad right at this spot.

EXIT: Midtown Loop/Eastern Market

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After it's rebuilt, the Wilkins Street bridge will be an access point for the Cut. It'll also hit the Midtown Loop, a simultaneous project adding sidewalk enhancements for bikers and pedestrians.

End of Extension

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The new Cut will end at Mack Avenue, where a path/bike lane known as the Hamtramck Connecter will head east on Mack, and north to Hamtown on St. Aubin.

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Beginning of northern extension

As it stands today, the Dequindre Cut dead ends at Gratiot Avenue, where 8 lanes of vehicles freshly discharged from I-75 make a crossing near impossible. The new trail will go under the Gratiot overpass, continuing north through the Eastern Market area.

Adelaide Bridge

The Cut passes under this bridge, which will be rebuilt.

Division Bridge

Another old bridge in Eastern Market that'll be rebuilt with the extension of the Cut.

Alfred Bridge

For whatever reason, the Alfred Street bridge is being demolished rather than rebuilt. The blight and graffiti is pretty bad right at this spot.

EXIT: Midtown Loop/Eastern Market

After it's rebuilt, the Wilkins Street bridge will be an access point for the Cut. It'll also hit the Midtown Loop, a simultaneous project adding sidewalk enhancements for bikers and pedestrians.

End of Extension

The new Cut will end at Mack Avenue, where a path/bike lane known as the Hamtramck Connecter will head east on Mack, and north to Hamtown on St. Aubin.