Michigan County Board Opposes I-94 Self-Driving Corridor
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WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. — Washtenaw County officials are opposed to proposed express lanes on about 39 miles of Interstate 94 between Ann Arbor and Detroit that one day could be dedicated to self-driving vehicles.
The Michigan Department of Transportation, in partnership with smart road developer Cavnue, is looking to repurpose lanes on I-94. Cavnue, a private company, would foot the bill. The lanes would become technology-enabled express lanes for smart vehicles, including automated vehicles. The corridor would run between Ann Arbor-Saline Road in Ann Arbor to M-10, the Lodge Freeway, in Detroit.
The county’s board of commissioners on May 21 voted unanimously to approve a resolution opposing the proposed I-94 Connected and Automated Vehicle Corridor and opposing toll lanes on highways through the county.
The proposed project “raises concerns regarding equitable access, potential environmental impacts and the prioritization of infrastructure investments that may not align with the immediate needs of residents of Washtenaw County,” the county’s resolution states.
“We do not have a record of Washtenaw County’s opposition collected during that public comment period or following the closing of our official public comment,” MDOT spokesperson Jocelyn Garza said. “The board has been given opportunity for comment, but we’ll be sure to continue communication working to address any remaining concerns.”
A look at the area surrounding Interstate 94 between Detroit and Ann Arbor. (Google Maps)
She also said MDOT completed “extensive public engagement” as part of an environmental assessment.
The Federal Highway Administration approved a “Finding of No Significant Impacts” after reviewing the environmental assessment, she said.
MDOT officials say it would “bridge the gap between the technology in vehicles and on the roads,” according to the project’s website.
It would also “improve safety” and “enhance road maintenance and incident response,” among other benefits, according to MDOT.
The county board also opposes tolls on any highway that runs through the county.
“The introduction of toll lanes or any form of user fees on existing highways could disproportionately affect low-income and marginalized communities, creating barriers to mobility and access to essential services,” the resolution states.
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County officials point out that Michigan does not operate toll roads, and implementing one “would represent a significant policy shift with far-reaching implications,” it states.
It also claims tolls could “impose undue financial burdens on residents and commuters.”
There could be a “user fee” at some point in the future, pending state and federal approval, according to MDOT. The fee would be “optional” for drivers of connected and automated vehicles and fund ongoing operation and maintenance of the corridor.
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The county will send copies of the resolution to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, MDOT Director Brad Wieferich, and members of the state legislature representing Washtenaw County residents. The county will also share it with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and MDOT project leads, on the suggestion of county Commissioner Yousef Rahbi, who proposed the amendment to add them to the distribution list.
The corridor would be the first of its kind. One travel lane in each direction of I-94 would be repurposed and feature equipment that can interact with connected and automated vehicle technology. MDOT first unveiled the effort in 2020.
The lanes would likely be physically separated from other highway lanes and accessible at certain points.
At first, any vehicle would be able to use the express lanes. The lanes could be restricted to high-tech vehicles only as self-driving vehicles become more common.
MDOT and Cavnue have been testing the idea with a pilot project on a 3-mile stretch of westbound I-94 between Belleville and Rawsonville roads in Wayne County. The pilot project has been underway since May 2024 on the leftmost lane.
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