Aretha Franklin Has Portion Of Detroit Highway Named After Her

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin Has Portion Of Detroit Highway Named After Her

Late music icon Aretha Franklin will finally receive her “freeway of love.” Her home state is honoring her in a big way! After controversy among Republicans, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave the okay to dedicate a portion of a Detroit highway to the “Respect” singer. A bill was signed to designate a portion of the M-10 as “Aretha L. Franklin Memorial Highway.”

Aretha Franklin

The dedication will be in honor of Detroit’s own Aretha Franklin’s immense contribution to American soul music, and the entertainment industry as a whole. However, Republicans who initially opposed the bill feel highway designations should only be reserved for fallen military vets and first responders. Gov. Whitmer gave this statement on Aretha:

“[Aretha Franklin’s] creativity and voice contributed to our musical and cultural history in Michigan.”

Thankfully, the Queen of Soul was able to feel the love from her hometown before she passed. Right outside of the city’s Music Hall, a street was named Aretha Franklin Way. 

Aretha Franklin died in September of 2018 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 76 years old.

Written by Miata Shanay