Eastpointe council votes to proceed with five‑lane design for 9 Mile Phase 3, ends further road‑diet discussion for the project

Councilman Rob Baker moved and the City Council voted to proceed with the previously approved five‑lane design for 9 Mile Phase 3 and to end further discussion of a three‑lane "road diet" or roundabout for that project.

In presenting the motion, Baker said he had added the item to the agenda to give residents and businesses clarity about which direction the council would take. "I move that we move forward with the already approved five‑lane design for 9 Mile and that we end discussion of road diet on 9 Mile," he said. The motion was amended on the floor to direct city engineers to submit plans to the Michigan Department of Transportation and authorize MDOT to take the project to bid.

Mayor Eric Kleinfeld said the subject had been "very aggravating and contentious" and expressed a desire to move on. Several residents had testified at public hearings, citing traffic studies, emergency‑vehicle access concerns and potential business impacts. Opponents warned of long queueing and limited driveway access; supporters of road diets cited walkability and downtown revitalization.

Councilmember Shadlick cast the lone dissenting vote. On the roll call, the motion carried with votes recorded as: Baker — yes; Curley — yes; Kleinfeld — yes; Shadlick — no; Scott — yes.

The council also asked staff to provide the cost breakdown for the three‑lane alternative at a future meeting and to have engineers contact MDOT about timelines so the city can advance the approved five‑lane design toward bidding. Council did not adopt any citywide prohibition on future lane‑reconfigurations beyond the direction given for this project.

Next steps: staff will confirm MDOT's bidding timeline and return any cost details requested by council at a subsequent meeting.