Gateway Project completed; Southwest Detroit residents relieved

Southwest Detroit is looking forward to a reduction in traffic jams and clogged neighborhood streets. The Gateway Project is finally finished.

"If you were coming in around five or six, everything was backed up," said Robert Soto.

A serene calm has finally come to his neighborhood in the shadow of the Ambassador Bridge. After years of wrangling, the ramps to the international gateway have been finally opened to traffic, which means Delray feels less like a truck stop and more like a residential area.

Soto described himself as an old foe of bridge owner Matty Moroun.

"I'm just glad the state took over. If they didn't, I believe it would've probably taken a lot longer for him to open that."

Soto's neighbor is Martina Miracle, aptly named considering this day has come.

"They're not using this street as much as they were," she said, adding it has been six or seven years since her street has been peaceful.

Those closest to the brouhaha with a front row seat and view of the bridge are relieved.

"It's definitely alleviated," said Will Arvatihorvat, who is glad the trucks are on the highway so he can save time and gas money.

"Huge pain in the you know what."