May 2025 - Press Release

MDOT, Cavnue Receive Federal Approval to Advance I-94 CAV Corridor

The issuance of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a key approval under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and signifies strong support from federal and state leadership to deliver the country’s most advanced smart corridor.

Detroit, MI - Cavnue announced today that its state partner, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), has received a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for its 39-mile, I-94 Connected and Automated Vehicle (CAV) Corridor project connecting Ann Arbor to Detroit. The FONSI, a key federal approval resulting from a robust Environmental Assessment (EA), provides clearance for full corridor development, paving the way for the next phases of the I-94 CAV Corridor project to expand the existing 3-mile initial deployment. MDOT and Cavnue agreed to a ground-breaking term sheet late last year as a precursor to a Project Concession Agreement enabling full development and operation of the project over a 50-year timeframe. 

"This is an exciting moment not only for Cavnue, but for Michigan’s leadership in connected and automated mobility," said Tyler Duvall, CEO and Co-Founder of Cavnue. "Securing federal environmental approval for full build-out along I-94 reflects years of close collaboration, technical rigor, and community engagement. We are now poised to deliver a safer, smarter, and more resilient highway for everyone."

The EA, prepared by MDOT in accordance with federal law, assessed the potential impacts of implementing the full corridor and validated that the project will not have significant adverse impacts on the environment and human health. The federal approval clears the way for continued development and deployment activities to upgrade I-94’s infrastructure to support connected and automated vehicles at scale in a dedicated lane environment - a first for the United States.

The I-94 CAV Corridor will feature:

  • Digital infrastructure and physical improvements across the full 39 miles

  • Real-time sensing and incident detection systems to improve safety and operations

  • New capabilities to support connected and automated vehicle technologies

  • Enhanced emergency response and road condition monitoring systems

The full CAV corridor, which builds on the current 3-mile initial deployment, required a more detailed and rigorous federal review to account for the scale and complexity of the project. With the FONSI now secured, Cavnue and MDOT are reinforcing Michigan’s position at the forefront of smart infrastructure innovation.

"This milestone reflects the close collaboration between MDOT, FHWA, and Cavnue to align Michigan as a leader in transportation advancements focused on safety improvements and strengthened mobility," said MDOT Director Bradley C. Wieferich. "With this federal approval, this innovative project can move forward."

For more information about the I-94 CAV Corridor project and its next phase of development: