First attempt to construct rail bypass
In 2012, it was announced that a proposal was sent to Wayne County in an attempt to eliminate the congestion generated by the railroad track running through Trenton and Woodhaven toward the Flat Rock switching yard by providing grade separations which would clear Fort and Allen Roads from the track.
This track had been cited for years as being a problem spot for trains that would stop and reverse for periods of up to an hour at a time, creating gridlock on Fort and Allen, plus Van Horn Road. Despite notices posted on the crossing arms providing a toll-free number to call in the event of such stoppages, they did not decrease, either in amount or duration. Most vocal among the frustrated were ambulance drivers, who claimed these train delays kept them from providing timely E.R. service to Southshore (formerly Seaway) Hospital in Trenton. The proposal involved funding for grade separations that would carry Fort and Allen Roads either above or below track level. In spite of looming Wayne County budget troubles, it was hoped that project preferences would land on the side of this troublesome area.
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