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Crumbling Bridges, Warehouses Define New Dequindre Cut

By Paul Beshouri
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By Paul Beshouri
30 comments / new

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.

Gratiot Avenue & Dequindre Cut Greenway Trail, Detroit, MI 48207

Adelaide Bridge

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

1871 Adelaide Street, Detroit, MI 48207

Division Bridge

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

1870 Division Street, Detroit, MI 48207

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.

1924 Alfred Street, Detroit, MI 48207

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.

1924 Wilkins Street, Detroit, MI 48207

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.

1910 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207

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Beginning of northern extension

Gratiot Avenue & Dequindre Cut Greenway Trail, Detroit, MI 48207

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.

Gratiot Avenue & Dequindre Cut Greenway Trail, Detroit, MI 48207

Adelaide Bridge

1871 Adelaide Street, Detroit, MI 48207

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

1871 Adelaide Street, Detroit, MI 48207

Division Bridge

1870 Division Street, Detroit, MI 48207

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

1870 Division Street, Detroit, MI 48207

Alfred Bridge

1924 Alfred Street, Detroit, MI 48207

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

1924 Alfred Street, Detroit, MI 48207

EXIT: Midtown Loop/Eastern Market

1924 Wilkins Street, Detroit, MI 48207

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.

1924 Wilkins Street, Detroit, MI 48207

End of Extension

1910 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207

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.

1910 Mack Avenue, Detroit, MI 48207