No one likes getting stuck at a railroad crossing, especially when they have somewhere to be. 

Mary Behr of Woodhaven says it’s a hassle when she has to wait for a train to cross Allen Road north of Van Horn Rd.

“You sometimes sit there up to 30 minutes waiting for that train to move,” Behr says. “Many times I’ve had to call the doctor and say, ‘I’m on my way, but I was caught by the train, I’m going to be late.'”

Wayne County, which maintains Allen Road, says the average delay lasts about 10 minutes. 30 is not uncommon. In 2014, one delay lasted more than 6 hours.

The problem and the solution

The source of the tie-ups is the frequency of trains passing through Canadian National Railway‘s yard in Flat Rock about a mile away. Longer delays can happen depending on the length and speed of a train. 

To fix the problem, Wayne County will close Allen Road. in March 2026 for what Public Services Director Dayo Akinyemi calls a grade separation project.

“We’re going to bring the train traffic at an elevation higher than the vehicular traffic,” Akinyemi says. 

That means closing Allen Road and lowering it by about 20 feet and building a new railroad bridge over it. Akinyemi and his team brought maps and diagrams of the project to an open house at the Woodhaven Community Center on March 5.

David Horn came to learn more about it. He’s lived here for 43 years and says it’s long overdue.

“We need it bad,” Horn says. “Because you get a train across those tracks, and if it stalls, stays in one spot, you got all this traffic backing up on both ends.”

Those backups sometimes include emergency vehicles. Woodhaven Police Chief Jeff Brust says his officers have learned how not to get stuck. Sometimes, that means using I-75.

“We know when to divert around the tracks,” Brust says. “We have video in all of our cars that has a live feed on the tracks themselves. So once they’re dispatched to a call, they look immediately at the tracks. If Allen’s blocked, they know they can go to Van Horn. In this case with Allen being blocked, they’ll get on the freeway.”

Pack your patience

Van Horn Road is part of Wayne County’s official Allen Road construction detour. Trains will still cross both roads during the grade separation. But the county says it’s working with CN to ensure there’s no additional traffic disruption. 

Akinyemi says it’ll take time for drivers to find a detour that works for them.

“We’ll just ask people to have some patience with us,” Akinyemi says. “This is going to be a short-term pain for a long-term gain.”

Akinyemi stresses that businesses on Allen Rd. north of the closure will remain open during the $85 million project, which he hopes will be finished by the end of 2028.

Residents can stay updated on Wayne County’s Engage Allen Road project website.

On this week’s episode of Acoustic Café, we’re joined by Michigan native Luke Winslow-King! Originally from Cadillac, MI, he’s lived in New Orleans, New York and elsewhere before moving to Spain in 2018. From there, he’s released his last few albums, including the new one called “Coast Of Light.”

Also this week, archives from Gregory Porter, Kashus Culpepper and two recent late great bluesmen, Joe Louis Walker and John Hammond.

See the playlist below and listen to the episodes on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Acoustic Café Playlist for March 22, 2026

• “Million Dollar Intro” – Ani DiFranco
• “Cats” – Mitski
• “Wait Up” – Iron & Wine ft. I’m With Her
• “Nothing I Could Hide” – Arlo Parks
• “Rita Ballou” – Margo Price
• “In God’s Hands” – Joe Louis Walker (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Sail Away” – Tyler Ramsey & Carl Broemel
• “Dangerous Blues” – Luke Winslow-King (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Coast Of Light” – Luke Winslow-King (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Shadow Of A Man” – Mumford & Sons
• “Friend Like You” – Mark Erelli
• “Don’t Be A Fool” – Gregory Porter (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Dead Man Walking” – Infamous Stringdusters
• “Feeling Fine” – Ocie Elliott
• “Only Women Bleed” – Tori Amos
• “Fade To Nothing” – Asgeir
• “Man Of His Word” – Kashus Culpepper (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Say Yes” – Beabadoobee
• “For The First Time Again” – Tyler Ballgame
• “BLKWMN” – Ledisi
• “Clap Hands” – John Hammond (Acoustic Cafe in-studio performance)
• “Traveling Myself” – Luke Winslow-King (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)
• “Black Eyed Gypsy” – Luke Winslow-King (Acoustic Cafe in-studio guest)

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org

In a rambling post on Truth Social this week, President Trump threatened the Gordie Howe International Bridge — saying he won’t allow the bridge over the Detroit River to open until Canada compensates the U.S. for all it has given them. His exact demands are unclear.

The bridge has been expected to open sometime early this year. It’s meant to support a trade network that sees around $150 billion USD worth of goods cross between Detroit and Windsor annually.

Listen: Politicians react to Gordie Howe Bridge threats

In a statement, the Michigan Democratic Party called out the president, saying blocking the span from opening would amount to economic sabotage.

State Rep. Helena Scott represents the state’s 8th house district — including northwest Detroit, Ferndale and Pleasant Ridge. She argues the US isn’t owed anything for the new bridge.

“Michigan did not fund the construction,” says Scott, “Canada did. Canada financed nearly all of the projects after the US declined to put federal dollars into it. There is nothing owed back to the US.”

Trump’s criticism of the bridge comes despite issuing a joint statement in 2017 with then-Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, endorsing the Gordie Howe project. Construction of the span began during Trump’s first term in office in 2018.

Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell is shocked the president is now criticizing a project he once celebrated, in a state that voted for him.

“President Trump won Michigan,” says Dingell, “so why is he now turning around and screwing the workers who voted for him?”

Dingell says the owner of the Ambassador Bridge, the Moroun family, met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick before Trump’s threat. The Moroun’s fought to stop construction of the new bridge for years.

In a statement to WDET, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority says the new span remains on track to open in early 2026. They say the Gordie Howe International Bridge benefits both countries, by encouraging investment, helping to maintain and create thousands of jobs, and generating new business and tourism opportunities.

Mike Latulippe wraps up The Detroit Move; introducing The Shake Out; the future of This Island Earth

After two incredible years of bringing energy, soul, and deep Detroit flavor to the WDET airwaves, Mike Latulippe will be wrapping up his run as host of The Detroit Move.

This was not an easy decision for Mike, but he felt it was the right time to shift his focus from radio to new priorities in his life and career.

“It’s been an unbelievable two-year run hosting The Detroit Move… it’s been a lifelong dream come true to host a music show on WDET, and the show became more than I ever expected,” said Latulippe. “I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity and so thankful not only to the WDET team for their support, but to all the listeners who tuned in each week with adventurous ears. Without their support none of this would be possible. I’m very proud of what I was able to accomplish and will never forget this incredible experience and being part of the WDET family.”

Since launching in 2024, The Detroit Move quickly became a listener favorite, known for its adventurous playlists, celebration of Detroit’s musical legacy, and Mike’s thoughtful, personal approach to storytelling through sound.

“We’re truly sad to see such a popular and impactful program sunset,” said Adam Fox, WDET Program Director. “Mike brought passion, creativity, and serious commitment to The Detroit Move, and we’re thankful for everything he’s contributed to WDET. We wish him nothing but the best in what comes next.”

The final episode of The Detroit Move will air Tuesday, February 17 at 8 p.m.

Introducing The Shake Out with Dave Lawson

WDET is also excited to announce what’s coming next on Tuesday evenings from 8–9 p.m. Beginning February 24, Detroit Public Radio will welcome The Shake Out, hosted by Detroit musician and vinyl collector Dave Lawson.

The Shake Out continues the station’s tradition of deep-cut discovery, digging into rare gems, overlooked classics, and unexpected connections across genres — guided by Dave’s encyclopedic knowledge and love of records.

“I’m honored and excited to be joining the WDET family,” said Lawson. “This station has meant so much to me as a listener and as a Detroit musician, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share music I love with such a curious and engaged community.”

An update on This Island Earth

As the community continues to mourn the passing of Ismael Ahmed, WDET would like to share an update regarding the future of This Island Earth and the programming it inspired.

Ismael created This Island Earth to connect people through the shared experience of music — highlighting the common ground that links traditions from all over the world. The program became a meaningful space for discovery, grounded in accessibility, inclusivity, and a deep respect for global cultures.

Those values remain central to WDET’s mission and will continue to shape how the station approaches music programming. In Ismael’s final days, conversations took place about the future of the show and the importance of carrying forward its spirit. 

In the near term, WDET will re-air select episodes of This Island Earth with the blessing of Ismael’s family.