Detroit moves forward with plan for light-rail project

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Detroit moves forward with plan for light-rail project
Leonard N. Fleming / The Detroit News


Detroit -- Construction on the Woodward Light Rail project from downtown to Eight Mile is expected to begin next year, and the federal government has pledged to conduct an environmental impact study required for the plan to move forward.

City, state and federal officials announced plans for the study today at a news conference on the steps of the Detroit Institute of Arts -- one of the proposed stops on the route. The study, which officials expect to take a year to 18 months to complete, must be done to so that federal matching funds can be used.

The total project, which will create a light-rail system with multiple stops to spur economic growth along the Woodward rail corridor, is expected to cost anywhere from $450 to $500 million. So far, $125 million in private and public funds have been raised to complete the first phase of the project with the hope that the federal government will pick up much of the rest.

"As far back as Coleman Young's first term as mayor, there's been a great deal of discussion and efforts to develop a light-rail system here in the city," said Mayor Dave Bing. "Today we are here to announce that we've reached a major milestone on the road to turning the dream of light rail into a reality in the city of Detroit."

Bing, who has been pushing for this project since taking office last year because he sees it as integral to Detroit's rebirth, was joined by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and a host of other city, state and federal officials touting a project that has long been in the making. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100802/METRO/8020391/Detroit-moves-forward-with-plan-for-light-rail-project#ixzz0vV0wNJ00