Transit coming to Detroit
March 6, 2008
Southeast Michigan is poised for a huge turn around as it pertains to mass transit. This week, the Detroit Department of Transportation announced that Woodward Avenue (downtown to 8 mile) would be the locally preferred alternative (LPA) as to where some form of light rail would be constructed. The announcement is just one of a series of steps Detroit is involved in as part of a formal application to the feds to help pay for some form of rapid transit. The application is being conducted through the Detroit Transit Options for Growth Study with help from URS. For more information on this, please click here.
As if this wasn’t enough to get you excited, Crain’s Detroit Business reported,
“Details are beginning to emerge about a privately funded plan to build a $103 million light-rail commuter loop along 3.4 miles of Woodward Avenue in Detroit from Hart Plaza to Grand Boulevard . . Detroit Regional Mass Transit, run by John Hertel, is serving as the clearinghouse. . . .”
A 2007 study obtained by Crain’s Detroit Business called the “Woodward Transit Catalyst Project” outlines a $103 million light-rail line that stretches along 3.4 miles of Woodward and includes 12 stops near busy destinations such as Campus Martius Park, Wayne State University and the Detroit Medical Center. Private contributions and foundation grants would fund the system’s construction, but no financial deals are believed to be imminent.
The fact that there are two plans on the table is amazing and shows the growing consensus that Detroit (and Southeast MI) need to come together to make comprehensive rapid transit a reality. If done right, transit can be a huge economic and cultural benefit with the average return for cities being $6 return for every $1 invested in transit. Mark my words, transit will be a reality in Detroit within five years. By the way, if you live anywhere in Detroit or anywhere in Southeast MI, attend one of these meetings if you can that where DDOT will talk about the status and future of the project.
- The Guardian Building, downtown Detroit - Wednesday, March 12 from 12noon-2pm
- Boll Detroit Metro YMCA, downtown Detroit -Wednesday, March 12 from 5-7pm
- Wayne County Community College, Cooper Community Center -Thursday, March 13 from 11am-1pm
- Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, Dearborn -Thursday, March 13 from 5-7pm
- Revival Tabernacle Church, Highland Park - Friday, March 14 from 11am-1pm
Stay up fam,
Brandon White
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