Abstract
Transportation infrastructure decisions contribute to social, economic, and health inequities in the U.S. Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) may improve understanding of potential strategies to mitigate adverse effects on quality of life from planned developments. We use the Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB), currently under construction in southwest Detroit, MI, as a case study to examine 15 years of community mobilization, which resulted in community benefits that included an HIA. We describe community engagement processes, household survey methods, and select findings of the baseline HIA, with a focus on their application to inform recommendations to promote quality of life. Baseline HIA results indicated significantly higher self-reported asthma rates among children living within 500 feet of trucking routes. Residents reported substantial economic (e.g., decreased home values), health (e.g., adverse outcomes, lack of health care access), and environmental (e.g., air pollution) concerns related to the GHIB. We discuss specific recommendations, based on HIA results, to reduce adverse impacts of the GHIB. These recommendations will inform ongoing community benefits negotiations. This case study provides lessons for community, academic, and government partners conducting HIAs, especially during building and operation of major infrastructure, and discusses their potential role in improving community engagement opportunities towards environmental justice.
Highlights
Over USD 122 billion worth of imports and exports traverse internationally each year betweenDetroit, MI, and Windsor, ON at the busiest land border crossing between Canada and the U.S [1].Over 15 years ago, local, state, and federal agencies began discussions about the need for a new bridge to offer direct freeway-to-freeway cross-border connection, and to supplement the privately-owned, aging Ambassador Bridge
We share findings, including select demographic and health characteristics, neighborhood perceptions, plans to move, and top neighborhood concerns related to the Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB), as well as select recommendations in the Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) that these specific findings inform
Reduce emissions of air pollutants or noise associated with the new GHIB; Reduce the exposure of residents to air pollutants or noise emitted as a result of GHIB activity; Reduce adverse health effects among residents whose health is impacted by air pollutants or noise in the GHIB area
Summary
MI, and Windsor, ON at the busiest land border crossing between Canada and the U.S [1]. Over 15 years ago, local, state, and federal agencies began discussions about the need for a new bridge to offer direct freeway-to-freeway cross-border connection, and to supplement the privately-owned, aging Ambassador Bridge. Detroit region, following national trends, became increasingly industrialized in the twentieth century, with the building of many facilities and a major transportation corridor. A transportation network accompanies this industry, including primary rail lines for the region and a nexus of major freeways. In 1929, the Michigan Central Railroad completed construction of the Ambassador Bridge, which remains among the busiest international border crossings today, located on the Detroit River just a few miles from the GHIB site. In the 1950s and 1960s, MDOT built I-75, the major freight thoroughfare from
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