Commission Vice-Chair (Dist. 15)
Joe Palamara is serving in his 14th term and 28th year on the Wayne County Commission. He currently serves as Vice-Chair and “Dean’’ of the Commission. A lifelong resident of the Downriver area, he is a 1971 graduate of Wyandotte Roosevelt High School and, in 2018, was inducted into his high school's Distinguished Graduate Hall of Fame.
He attended Michigan State University on an Evans (caddy) Scholarship and was a walk-on member of the varsity baseball team. In his senior year, in 1975, Joe led the Spartans in hitting, received his team's Sportsmanship Award and was named to the All-Big Ten and All-America teams as a second baseman. He graduated from MSU in 1975 with a bachelor of arts degree in business. In 1985, Joe received his juris doctorate degree from the Detroit College of Law, and as a member of the State Bar of Michigan, has been licensed to practice law as an attorney in Michigan since the mid-1980s.
Joe was first elected to serve Downriver residents as a state representative in 1984, and he served for seven terms in the Michigan House of Representatives until term limits first took effect. In 1998, Palamara was elected to the Wayne County Commission, where he is an ardent champion of the Downriver communities he proudly represents in District 15. Joe also serves on the Michigan Association of Counties Board of Directors, is a member of the Wayne County Airport Authority (Metropolitan Airport) Board of Directors and is a lifetime member of the Michigan State University Varsity Alumni Club.
During his tenure as an elected official, he served as the Master of Ceremonies during President Bill Clinton's visit to Wyandotte. He has also served as a guest lecturer at the Detroit College of Law (now at Michigan State University) and at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. A Grosse Ile resident, Joe and his wife, Aline, have three children and seven grandchildren.
Staff
Martha Toth and James Toth
(313) 224-0880
Important News & Info
ROAD RESURFACING PROJECT TO BEGIN IN BROWNSTOWN TOWNSHIP AND CITIES OF GIBRALTAR & TRENTON
Wayne County Department of Public Services has revised the road resurfacing project schedule due to inclement weather for Fort Street southbound between Gibraltar Road and Van Horn Road, located within above-mentioned communities. This is a six-day project running from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. with closures during these hours. This project will begin on May 21, 2026, subject to weather conditions and unforeseen delays.
Wednesday, May 21, 2026 - Friday, May 30, 2026
Fort Street southbound – from Gibraltar Road and Van Horn Road:
- Southbound Fort Street: Reduced to a single lane.
- Northbound Fort Street (May 21, 2026, only): Reduced to a single lane just north and south of Old Fort Road.
- Gibraltar Road: Reduced to a single lane between I-75 and Old Fort Road; all traffic will shift to the left lane.
- Van Horn Road: Reduced to a single lane both east and west of Fort Street; all traffic will shift to the left lane.
School buses and emergency vehicles will be allowed to pass through the closure.
Motorists are advised to exercise caution and patience in construction zones. Flaggers will be on site to assist with traffic flow, and alternate routes are strongly recommended to avoid delays.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Contact the 24-hour customer service center at 888.ROAD.CREW (888-762-3273)
- Visit – www.waynecounty.com
Caution and patience to be exercised during Allen Road Grade Separation Project
Commuters downriver are asked to exercise patience and caution for the extended future as the Wayne County Department of Public Services (DPS) has begun the Allen Road Grade Separation construction on Allen Road between Van Horn Road and West Road. The project will remedy an issue that has long been recognized as a major burden for residents by elevating the railroad crossing and lowering Allen Road by approximately 20 feet, creating a smooth and uninterrupted traffic flow for residents and commuters.
Road closures on Allen Road are anticipated during construction, including the closure of Allen Road between Van Horn and north of the railroad crossing. Traffic will be redirected along Van Horn Road and Ford Lane, allowing residents to reach their destinations. All businesses will remain open, and detour routes will be provided to allow access.
Drivers should be prepared for delays and are advised to exercise caution and patience when passing through these construction zones.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The project kicked off in 2009 when Wayne County completed the concept study to explore grade separation options, leading to project planning and design engineering in 2013.
Beginning in 2020, the project was divided into three major phases:
- Phase 1: Roadway Improvements (2020 - 2022): Roadway improvements along Allen Road and Van Horn Road, preparing the corridor for the grade separation.
- Phase 2: Utility Relocation (2021 - 2026): Relocating private utilities to allow for the construction of the elevated railroad bridge.
- Phase 3: Bridge Construction (2026 - 2028): Will complete the road grade separation with the elevated railroad crossing and lowered roadway.
DETOUR ROUTES
Drivers should use the following routes to get around the road closure:
- Northbound: From Allen Road, turn left on Van Horn Road, then right onto Ford Lane, and continue to West Road.
- Southbound: From Allen Road, turn right onto West Road, then left onto Ford Lane, and continue to Van Horn Road.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Contact the 24-hour customer service center at 1-888-ROAD-CREW (1-888-762-3273)
Upcoming Events
Map
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