The bridge project isn’t a success until it shows how it can partner with residents, rather than railroad them (or is it “bridge” them?). In addition to fair housing deals, which may take years, the city councilwoman representing Delray residents is pushing to make sure that the neighborhood is appropriately buffered from the noise and pollution of heavy truck traffic coming off the bridge. About 10,000 trucks a day heave off the Ambassador Bridge and bump over the streets of Delray; the new bridge is expected to double that.
Locals have also been pushing for a community benefits agreement that ensures that the bridge is a boon to Delray. They organized as the Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition, and they point to successful models for this that came along with the development of the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. From a humane standpoint, it’s hardly too much for residents to ask for, say, tree planting to help mitigate air pollutants and funds for building renovation.