The year 1970 would prove to be a major transitional one for Naval Air Station Grosse Ile, which had been decommissioned in 1969 after 42 years of meritorious service. Plans were announced to convert the facility into a regional hub for prop and recreational aircraft. This would take full effect in 1971 under the airport code KONZ, and remains at this level to the present day.

The original announcement had come in 1967 and followed an approximate six-year drop-off in flights. Most of it was attributed to newer model planes being larger and wider, in which Grosse Ile’s limited-size runways would not be able to handle safely.

After decades of haggling, construction of Interstate 75 through Downriver had finally shown signs of progress in 1967. Three years later, the route was completed from north to south, and a dedication ceremony was held on September 17th to name the freeway after the Fisher Brothers, who were pioneers in auto body production in Detroit.

This is the freeway’s official name through Downriver and into downtown.