Michigan State Police sets up aggressive enforcement on Southfield Freeway

Michigan State Police patrol car - Photo by Joe Ross/Flickr

The Michigan State Police announced this morning that they will begin a more aggressive enforcement of speeding on the Southfield Freeway effective immediately. Their Special Enforcement Section has been assigned to patrol the freeway.

This action is the result of complaints of excessive speeding along on the Southfield Freeway. The Special Enforcement Section will continue their patrol activity until more motorists observe the posted speed limit carefully.

Motorists are cautioned that there is a posted speed limit of 55 m.p.h. on the freeway. Slow down or get a ticket.

Rollover accident on Southfield Freeway

Rollover accident on Southfield Fwy. - Photo by Frank Nemecek

There has been a rollover accident on the northbound Southfield Freeway between Paul and W. Warren Ave. Detroit Police as well as firefighters, and an ambulance from the Detroit Fire Department are still on the scene.

Traffic in the area is at a virtual standstill as a result of this crash. Motorists are advised to avoid the area, if possible.

It's not clear at this time what caused this accident to happen nor are the extentent of any injuries readily available.

Rollover accident on Southfield Freeway

Rollover accident on the Southfield Freeway
Photo by Frank Nemecek

There has been a rollover accident on the southbound Southfield Freeway at Paul Street. The Detroit Police Department and the Michigan State Police are on the scene. They have the freeway blocked to only one lane on the southbound side.

While the northbound side is open, there are gawker delays in both directions of the freeway. These delays appear to stretch for at least half a mile and include the service drive.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Truck knocks out pedestrian bridge

A truck from TLC Waste Disposal in Romulus, Michigan struck a pedestrian bridge over the Southfield Freeway at Cathedral Street, which is just north of the Warrendale neighborhood. This collision caused the bridge to collapse onto the freeway and killed the truck driver. According to published news reports, no one was on the bridge at the time of the collapse.

The Southfield Freeway is currently closed from Ford Road to I-96. However, the Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Department of Transportation hopes to have it re-opened later today.

State Representative Harvey Santana posted on his Facebook page that he has asked Governor Rick Snyder for emergency funds to replace the bridge. Students at Cody High School who live east of the freeway use that bridge to get to school every day.

Volunteers need in Rouge Park

The Greening of Detroit is planning a tree planting on Saturday, October 4 from  9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on the east side of Spinoza just north of Tireman. They are asking  the community to help them plant trees. Training and tools will be provided.

As an ongoing effort to support its mission, they will be working in the park to replace the lost tree canopy.  By planting trees on the city owned property between the sidewalk and the street, this will assist in reducing basement flooding, that is caused from storm water overflow.

There will be planting along the Southfield service drive as well. This planting will benefit help to produce clean air by absorbing the carbon dioxide from vehicle emissions, also creating a green barrier which will produce sound reduction.

Detroit Sends Cash to Dearborn

Earlier this afternoon, I saw a marked car from the Dearborn Police Department operating a speed trap along the Southfield Freeway, but within the Detroit city limits. For the record, it's been years since I've a car from the Detroit Police Department or anyone else issue speeding tickets along that stretch of road.

It's pretty clear that the City of Detroit believes they so much cash that they don't need to worry about the potential revenue from things like traffic tickets. Therefore, the Detroit Police aren't worrying about it.

I have to say, though, that it's nice that the Detroit Police are so neighborly as to let other police departments come into a city overflowing with cash like Detroit it and a little extra make money for themselves.

Flooding at the Southfield Freeway

A portion of the Southfield Freeway flooded recently because of the tremendous amount of rain that Detroit has received over the past couple of days.

Lance Rosol of Pixel Perfect Photography managed to snap this photograph of what is now the Southfield River. It shows the Southfield Freeway, near Outer Drive, which is approximately 4 miles south of the Warrendale neighborhood.

Southfield Freeway Re-Opens & Electric Cars Get Charged

The Southfield Freeway (M-39) opened all lanes of traffic early this morning after being closed for several months. The months of road construction are now completed.

I also showcase an opportunity for re-charging an electric car that's not in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood, but is still cool.

New Traffic Detours for the Southfield Freeway

Construction Continues on the Southfield Freeway

From Friday, September 23 at 9 p.m. until Monday, September 26 at 5 a.m., the Southfield Freeway (M-39) will be closed in both directions between Ford Rd. (M-153) and Grand River Ave. (M-5). In addition, the eastbound and westbound I-96 ramps to northbound Southfield Fwy., and the Grand River entrance ramp to southbound Southfield Fwy. will be closed.

The Michigan Department of Transportation suggests a northbound detour by taking westbound Ford Rd. to northbound Telegraph Rd (US-24) to eastbound I-696 to Southfield Rd. 

The suggested southbound detour is to take southbound M-10 to westbound Eight Mile Rd. (M-102) to southbound Telegraph Rd. to eastbound Ford Rd. to the Southfield Freeway.