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{{Infobox public transit
{{Infobox public transit
|name= M-1 Rail Line
|name= M-1 Rail Line
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|lines=
|lines=
|vehicles=
|vehicles=
|stations= 20 stations serving 12 locations
|stations= 20 stations serving 12 locations
|annual_ridership= 5,400 daily ''forecast''<ref name=EA>{{cite web |title= Supplemental Environmental Assessment |url= http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT-Woodward_Avenue_Streetcar_Supplemental_Environmental_Assessment_Executive_Summary_through_Appendix_D_411117_7.pdf |format= PDF |publisher= [[Michigan Department of Transportation]] |accessdate= February 14, 2013}}</ref>
|annual_ridership= 5,400 daily ''forecast''<ref name=EA>{{cite web |title= Supplemental Environmental Assessment |url= http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdot/MDOT-Woodward_Avenue_Streetcar_Supplemental_Environmental_Assessment_Executive_Summary_through_Appendix_D_411117_7.pdf |format= PDF |publisher= [[Michigan Department of Transportation]] |accessdate= February 14, 2013}}</ref>
|ridership=
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}}
}}


The '''M-1 Rail Line''' (also known as the '''Woodward Avenue Streetcar''' by [[Michigan Department of Transportation|MDOT]]) is a {{convert|3.3|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[streetcar]] line to run along [[M-1 (Michigan highway)|M-1]] (Woodward Avenue) in [[Detroit]], Michigan.<ref name=RailwayGazette2014-07-28/> In December 2011, city and state leaders announced a plan to offer [[bus rapid transit]] service for the city and metropolitan area instead of light rail as had previously been proposed.<ref name=BRT>{{cite news |last= Bing |first= Dave |date= December 18, 2011 |url= http://www.freep.com/article/20111218/OPINION05/112180413/Dave-Bing-Rapid-bus-system-is-a-win-for-metro-Detroit |title=Rapid Bus System Is a Win for Metro Detroit |work= [[Detroit Free Press]] |accessdate= December 18, 2011}}</ref> Soon afterwards, M-1 Rail, a consortium of private and public businesses and institutions in the region, announced the plan for a {{convert|3.3|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[streetcar]] line along part of the same route as the cancelled light rail plan, connecting the downtown [[Detroit People Mover]] to the railway station in [[New Center]] which serves [[Amtrak]] and the proposed [[SEMCOG Commuter Rail|SEMCOG commuter rail]] system.
The '''M-1 Rail Line''' (also known as the '''Woodward Avenue Streetcar''' by [[Michigan Department of Transportation|MDOT]]) is a {{convert|3.3|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[streetcar]] line to run along [[M-1 (Michigan highway)|M-1]] (Woodward Avenue) in [[Detroit]], Michigan. In December 2011, city and state leaders announced a plan to offer [[bus rapid transit]] service for the city and metropolitan area instead of light rail as had previously been proposed. Soon afterwards, M-1 Rail, a consortium of private and public businesses and institutions in the region, announced the plan for a {{convert|3.3|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[streetcar]] line along part of the same route as the cancelled light rail plan, connecting the downtown [[Detroit People Mover]] to the railway station in [[New Center]] which serves [[Amtrak]] and the proposed [[SEMCOG Commuter Rail|SEMCOG commuter rail]] system.


==History==
==History==
Line 32: Line 32:
The proposed line ran {{convert|9.3|mi|km}} along Woodward Avenue from the Rosa Parks Transit Center to the old State Fairgrounds along [[8&nbsp;Mile Road]].<ref name=TRU/> The line would have had 19&nbsp;stops with 10&nbsp;cars running at a time in two-car trains; each train would carry 150&nbsp;people. The trains would run in a dedicated right-of-way in the median from 8&nbsp;Mile to Adams Street at the north end of downtown. South of Adams, the trains would run in traffic along the sides of the street.
The proposed line ran {{convert|9.3|mi|km}} along Woodward Avenue from the Rosa Parks Transit Center to the old State Fairgrounds along [[8&nbsp;Mile Road]].<ref name=TRU/> The line would have had 19&nbsp;stops with 10&nbsp;cars running at a time in two-car trains; each train would carry 150&nbsp;people. The trains would run in a dedicated right-of-way in the median from 8&nbsp;Mile to Adams Street at the north end of downtown. South of Adams, the trains would run in traffic along the sides of the street.


The estimated cost for the proposed line was $500 million.<ref name=TRU>{{cite web |url= http://www.detroittransit.org/cms.php?pageid=80 |title= Woodward Light Rail Project Cancelled, M-1 Streetcar Still in the Works |publisher= Detroit Transportation Riders United |accessdate= October 17, 2011}}</ref> The Kresge Foundation awarded a $35 million grant to the city for the project in March 2009.<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://www.michiganfoundations.org/s_cmf/doc.asp?CID=6017&DID=24282 |title= Kresge Foundation Awards Nearly $73 Million in Grants in the First Quarter of 2009 |date= March 9, 2009 |publisher= Council of Michigan Foundations}}{{Dead link|date=October 2012}}</ref> It received $25 million in funding from the [[United States Department of Transportation]] in February 2010.<ref name=RailwayGazette2013-08-02/> The Detroit City Council approved the sale of $125 million in bonds on April 11, 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title= City Council Approves Detroit Light Rail Project |date= April 12, 2011 |url= http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/04/12/city-council-approves-detroit-light-rail-project/ |location= Southfield, MI |publisher= [[WWJ-TV]] |accessdate= }}</ref> The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the City of Detroit signed an environmental impact study on July 1, 2011.<ref name=WLR/> Finally, on August 31, 2011, the FTA signed a record of decision allowing the project to move forward.<ref>{{cite news |title= Detroit's Woodward Ave. Light Rail Project Moves Forward, but Still Has Long Road to Completion |url= http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/09/detroits_woodward_ave_light_ra.html |work= MLive |location=
The estimated cost for the proposed line was $500 million.<ref name=TRU>{{cite web |url= http://www.detroittransit.org/cms.php?pageid=80 |title= Woodward Light Rail Project Cancelled, M-1 Streetcar Still in the Works |publisher= Detroit Transportation Riders United |accessdate= October 17, 2011}}</ref> The Kresge Foundation awarded a $35 million grant to the city for the project in March 2009.<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://www.michiganfoundations.org/s_cmf/doc.asp?CID=6017&DID=24282 |title= Kresge Foundation Awards Nearly $73 Million in Grants in the First Quarter of 2009 |date= March 9, 2009 |publisher= Council of Michigan Foundations}}{{Dead link|date=October 2012}}</ref> It received $25 million in funding from the [[United States Department of Transportation]] in February 2010.<ref name=RailwayGazette2013-08-02>{{cite news |url= http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-construction-contract-awarded.html |title= Detroit Streetcar Construction Contract Awarded |work= [[Railway Gazette]] |date= August 2, 2013 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20131109231246/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-construction-contract-awarded.html |archivedate= November 9, 2013 |accessdate= September 5, 2014 |deadurl= no |quote= The cost of construction is estimated at between $135m and $145m.}}</ref> The Detroit City Council approved the sale of $125 million in bonds on April 11, 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title= City Council Approves Detroit Light Rail Project |date= April 12, 2011 |url= http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/04/12/city-council-approves-detroit-light-rail-project/ |location= Southfield, MI |publisher= [[WWJ-TV]] |accessdate= }}</ref> The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the City of Detroit signed an environmental impact study on July 1, 2011.<ref name=WLR/> Finally, on August 31, 2011, the FTA signed a record of decision allowing the project to move forward.<ref>{{cite news |title= Detroit's Woodward Ave. Light Rail Project Moves Forward, but Still Has Long Road to Completion |url= http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2011/09/detroits_woodward_ave_light_ra.html |work= MLive |location=
Detroit |publisher= [[Booth Newspapers]] |accessdate= December 15, 2011 |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/63x9RbxHJ |archivedate= December 15, 2011 |deadurl= no |date= September 6, 2011}}</ref>
Detroit |publisher= [[Booth Newspapers]] |accessdate= December 15, 2011 |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/63x9RbxHJ |archivedate= December 15, 2011 |deadurl= no |date= September 6, 2011}}</ref>


In December 2011 the federal government withdrew its support for the proposed line, in favor of a [[bus rapid transit]] system which would serve the city and suburbs. This decision arose out of discussions between federal Secretary of Transportation [[Ray LaHood]], Detroit Mayor [[Dave Bing]] and [[Governor of Michigan|Governor]] [[Rick Snyder]]. The private investors who had initially supported the smaller {{convert|3|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} M-1 Rail line to New Center stated that they would continue developing that project through the nonprofit M-1 Rail Consortium.<ref>{{cite news |title= Detroit Light-Rail Plan Is Dead: Buses Will Be Used Instead |work= Detroit Free Press |date= December 14, 2011 |last1= Helms |first1= Matt |first2= Paul |last2= Egan |first3= John |last3= Gallagher}}</ref>
In December 2011 the federal government withdrew its support for the proposed line, in favor of a [[bus rapid transit]] system which would serve the city and suburbs.<ref name=BRT>{{cite news |last= Bing |first= Dave |date= December 18, 2011 |url= http://www.freep.com/article/20111218/OPINION05/112180413/Dave-Bing-Rapid-bus-system-is-a-win-for-metro-Detroit |title=Rapid Bus System Is a Win for Metro Detroit |work= [[Detroit Free Press]] |accessdate= December 18, 2011}}</ref> This decision arose out of discussions between federal Secretary of Transportation [[Ray LaHood]], Detroit Mayor [[Dave Bing]] and [[Governor of Michigan|Governor]] [[Rick Snyder]]. The private investors who had initially supported the smaller {{convert|3|mi|km|adj=on|spell=in}} M-1 Rail line to New Center stated that they would continue developing that project through the nonprofit M-1 Rail Consortium.<ref>{{cite news |title= Detroit Light-Rail Plan Is Dead: Buses Will Be Used Instead |work= Detroit Free Press |date= December 14, 2011 |last1= Helms |first1= Matt |first2= Paul |last2= Egan |first3= John |last3= Gallagher}}</ref>


==Construction==
==Construction==
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On January 18, 2013, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that M-1 Rail would receive $25 million in federal grant support for the streetcar project.<ref name=RailwayGazette2013-08-02/><ref>{{cite news |last= Helms |first= Matt |title= Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Brings $25 Million in Federal Aid for M-1 Rail Project |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20130118/NEWS01/130118021/Ray-LaHood-brings-25M-in-federal-aid-for-M-1-rail-project |accessdate= January 28, 2013 |newspaper= Detroit Free Press |date= January 18, 2013}}</ref> In April, the project received final environmental clearance from the federal government, with construction expected to start in the fall.<ref>{{cite news |first= Matt |last= Helms |date= April 22, 2013 |title= M-1 Rail Project Gets Final OK from Federal Government |url= http://www.freep.com/article/20130422/NEWS/304220141/M1-Rail-streetcar-Detroit-Woodward |work= Detroit Free Press |accessdate= October 21, 2013}}</ref>
On January 18, 2013, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that M-1 Rail would receive $25 million in federal grant support for the streetcar project.<ref name=RailwayGazette2013-08-02/><ref>{{cite news |last= Helms |first= Matt |title= Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Brings $25 Million in Federal Aid for M-1 Rail Project |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20130118/NEWS01/130118021/Ray-LaHood-brings-25M-in-federal-aid-for-M-1-rail-project |accessdate= January 28, 2013 |newspaper= Detroit Free Press |date= January 18, 2013}}</ref> In April, the project received final environmental clearance from the federal government, with construction expected to start in the fall.<ref>{{cite news |first= Matt |last= Helms |date= April 22, 2013 |title= M-1 Rail Project Gets Final OK from Federal Government |url= http://www.freep.com/article/20130422/NEWS/304220141/M1-Rail-streetcar-Detroit-Woodward |work= Detroit Free Press |accessdate= October 21, 2013}}</ref>


On December 20, 2013, M-1 Rail began underground utility relocation work along Woodward Avenue, the first step toward full-fledged construction activities of the {{convert|3.3|mi|km|adj=on}} streetcar line, with construction scheduled to start in mid-2014.<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://m-1rail.com/m-1-rail-begins-underground-utility-relocation-work-shutdown-woodward-avenue-required-utility-relocations-will-prevent-customer-access-businesses-woodward/ |title= M-1 Rail Begins Underground Utility Relocation Work, Shutdown of Woodward Avenue Is Not Required: Utility Relocations Will Not Prevent Customer Access to Businesses on Woodward |accessdate= January 3, 2014 |publisher= M-1 Rail |date= December 2013}}</ref> [[Stacy & Witbeck]] were formally awarded the contract to construct the line on July 31, 2013.<ref name=RailwayGazette2013-08-02/><ref name=RailwayAge2013/> M-1 Rail officials announced on July 3, 2014, that the Woodward Avenue overpasses for both I-75 and I-94 freeways will be demolished during construction of the rail line, and that new wider bridges will be built.<ref>{{cite news |first= Marlon A. |last= Walker |date= July 3, 2014 |work= Detroit Free Press |url= http://m-1rail.com/m-1-rail-construction-close-freeways-woodward-overpasses-rebuilt/ |title= M-1 Rail Construction to Close Freeways as Woodward Overpasses Are Rebuilt |accessdate= July 11, 2014 |via= M-1 Rail }}</ref>
On December 20, 2013, M-1 Rail began underground utility relocation work along Woodward Avenue, the first step toward full-fledged construction activities of the {{convert|3.3|mi|km|adj=on}} streetcar line, with construction scheduled to start in mid-2014.<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://m-1rail.com/m-1-rail-begins-underground-utility-relocation-work-shutdown-woodward-avenue-required-utility-relocations-will-prevent-customer-access-businesses-woodward/ |title= M-1 Rail Begins Underground Utility Relocation Work, Shutdown of Woodward Avenue Is Not Required: Utility Relocations Will Not Prevent Customer Access to Businesses on Woodward |accessdate= January 3, 2014 |publisher= M-1 Rail |date= December 2013}}</ref> [[Stacy & Witbeck]] were formally awarded the contract to construct the line on July 31, 2013.<ref name=RailwayGazette2013-08-02/><ref name=RailwayAge2013>{{cite news |url= http://railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/stacy-and-witbeck-win-detroit-m1-contract.html |title= Stacy and Witbeck Win Detroit M-1 Contract |work= [[Railway Age]] |first= Douglas John |last= Bowen |date= July 31, 2013 |page= |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20130819051926/http://railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/stacy-and-witbeck-win-detroit-m1-contract.html |archivedate= August 19, 2013 |accessdate= September 6, 2014 |deadurl= no}}</ref>
M-1 Rail officials announced on July 3, 2014, that the Woodward Avenue overpasses for both I-75 and I-94 freeways will be demolished during construction of the rail line, and that new wider bridges will be built.<ref>{{cite news |first= Marlon A. |last= Walker |date= July 3, 2014 |work= Detroit Free Press |url= http://m-1rail.com/m-1-rail-construction-close-freeways-woodward-overpasses-rebuilt/ |title= M-1 Rail Construction to Close Freeways as Woodward Overpasses Are Rebuilt |accessdate= July 11, 2014 |via= M-1 Rail }}</ref>


On July 20, 2014, the Ilitch family, owner of Olympia Development of Michigan, and major investor in M-1 Rail, announced that the streetcar line will include a stop at the new $450 million Detroit Red Wings arena in Midtown, when construction is completed in mid-2017.<ref>{{cite news |first= Bill |last= Shea |date= July 20, 2014 |url= http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140720/NEWS03/140719845/%20m-rink-city-ilitches-grand-plan-to-supersize-the |title= Detroit Rink City: Ilitches' Grand Plan to Supersize the Entertainment District |work= Crain's Detroit Business |accessdate= July 23, 2014 }}</ref>
On July 20, 2014, the Ilitch family, owner of Olympia Development of Michigan, and major investor in M-1 Rail, announced that the streetcar line will include a stop at the new $450 million Detroit Red Wings arena in Midtown, when construction is completed in mid-2017.<ref>{{cite news |first= Bill |last= Shea |date= July 20, 2014 |url= http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140720/NEWS03/140719845/%20m-rink-city-ilitches-grand-plan-to-supersize-the |title= Detroit Rink City: Ilitches' Grand Plan to Supersize the Entertainment District |work= Crain's Detroit Business |accessdate= July 23, 2014 }}</ref>


M-1 Rail officially started construction on July 28, 2014<ref name=RailwayGazette2014-07-28>{{cite news |url= http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-breaks-ground.html |title= Detroit Streetcar Breaks Ground |work= Railway Gazette |date= July 28, 2014 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20140809041817/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-breaks-ground.html |archivedate= September 6, 2014 |accessdate= September 5, 2014 |deadurl= no |quote= Also known as the Woodward Avenue Streetcar, the 5.3 km line would run along Woodward Avenue from Larned Street to East Grand Boulevard with 12 stops.}}</ref>
M-1 Rail officially started construction on July 28, 2014.<ref name=RailwayGazette2014-07-28/> The streetcar line will stretch from downtown Detroit to Grand Boulevard in New Center. There will be 20 different stations serving 12 stops, with most of the stations being curbside on either side of Woodward Avenue going uptown or downtown, but changing to center road stations at the north and south ends of the system. The streetcar line is expected to be operational in late 2016.<ref>{{cite news |date= July 28, 2014 |title= Construction Starts on Detroit Rail |work= [[The Mining Journal]] |location= Marquette, MI |agency= [[Associated Press]] |page= 5A}}</ref>
The streetcar line will stretch from downtown Detroit to Grand Boulevard in New Center. There will be 20 different stations serving 12 stops, with most of the stations being curbside on either side of Woodward Avenue going uptown or downtown, but changing to center road stations at the north and south ends of the system. The streetcar line is expected to be operational in late 2016.<ref>{{cite news |date= July 28, 2014 |title= Construction Starts on Detroit Rail |work= [[The Mining Journal]] |location= Marquette, MI |agency= [[Associated Press]] |page= 5A}}</ref>


==Rolling stock==
==Rolling stock==
Line 57: Line 59:


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|
{{Reflist|30em}}
30em|
refs=
<ref name=RailwayGazette2014-07-28>
{{cite news
| url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-breaks-ground.html
| title = Detroit streetcar breaks ground
| publisher = [[Railway Gazette]]
| date = 2014-07-28
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140809041817/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-breaks-ground.html
| archivedate = 2014-09-06
| accessdate = 2014-09-05
| deadurl = No
| quote = Also known as the Woodward Avenue Streetcar, the 5·3 km line would run along Woodward Avenue from Larned Street to East Grand Boulevard with 12 stops.
}}
</ref>
<ref name=RailwayGazette2013-08-02>
{{cite news
| url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-construction-contract-awarded.html
| title = Detroit streetcar construction contract awarded
| publisher = [[Railway Gazette]]
| date = 2013-08-02
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131109231246/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/detroit-streetcar-construction-contract-awarded.html
| archivedate = 2013-11-09
| accessdate = 2014-09-05
| deadurl = No
| quote = The cost of construction is estimated at between $135m and $145m.
}}
</ref>
<ref name=RailwayGazette2013-08-02>
{{cite news
| url = http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/detroit-light-rail-project-gets-grant.html
| title = Detroit light rail project gets grant
| publisher = [[Railway Gazette]]
| date = 2013-02-22
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130827075057/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/urban/single-view/view/detroit-light-rail-project-gets-grant.html
| archivedate = 2013-08-27
| accessdate = 2014-09-05
| deadurl = No
| quote =
}}
</ref>
<ref name=RailwayAge2013>
{{cite news
| url = http://railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/stacy-and-witbeck-win-detroit-m1-contract.html
| title = Stacy and Witbeck win Detroit M1 contract
| publisher = [[Railway Age]]
| author = Douglas John Bowen
| date = 2013-07-31
| page =
| location =
| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130819051926/http://railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/light-rail/stacy-and-witbeck-win-detroit-m1-contract.html
| archivedate = 2013-08-19
| accessdate = 2014-09-06
| deadurl = No
| quote =
}}
</ref>
}}


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 04:25, 7 September 2014

M-1 Rail Line
Artist's rendering of the Grand Circus Park station for the M-1 Rail project
Artist's rendering of the Grand Circus Park station for the M-1 Rail project
Overview
LocaleDowntown Detroit
Transit typeStreetcar
Number of stations20 stations serving 12 locations
Annual ridership5,400 daily forecast[1]
Headquarters600 Renaissance Center, Suite 1740 Detroit, MI 48243
Operation
Began operationLate 2016 (expected)
Operator(s)M-1 Rail
Technical
System length3.3 mi (5.3 km)
System map
QLine
Legend
Amtrak to Pontiac
 Grand Boulevard
Baltimore Street Detroit (Amtrak station)
Amtrak to Chicago
 Amsterdam Street
I-94.svg
I-94
Edsel Ford Freeway
 Ferry Street
Warren Avenue
Canfield Street
Martin Luther King Boulevard/
Mack Avenue
 Sproat Street/Adelaide Street
I-75.svg
I-75
Fisher Freeway
 Montcalm Street
Detroit People Mover
 Grand Circus Park
Campus Martius
Congress Street
Handicapped/disabled access All stations are accessible

The M-1 Rail Line (also known as the Woodward Avenue Streetcar by MDOT) is a 3.3-mile-long (5.3 km) streetcar line to run along M-1 (Woodward Avenue) in Detroit, Michigan. In December 2011, city and state leaders announced a plan to offer bus rapid transit service for the city and metropolitan area instead of light rail as had previously been proposed. Soon afterwards, M-1 Rail, a consortium of private and public businesses and institutions in the region, announced the plan for a 3.3-mile-long (5.3 km) streetcar line along part of the same route as the cancelled light rail plan, connecting the downtown Detroit People Mover to the railway station in New Center which serves Amtrak and the proposed SEMCOG commuter rail system.

History

Detroit's first streetcar service began in 1863 with horsecars. Electrification of the streetcar system followed, starting in 1886. Detroit's streetcar lines eventually saw their operations consolidated under the privately-owned Detroit United Railway. Municipal takeover and control of the streetcar network by Detroit's Department of Street Railways followed in 1922.[2] But the Department of Street Railways' introduction of buses (starting in 1925) ultimately led to the demise of the original streetcar system in 1956.[2][3]

Planning for the return of rapid transit to Detroit began in 2006 when the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) commissioned a study to determine expanded mass transit options along Woodward Avenue.[4] Concurrently, a private group of local business leaders decided to provide matching funds to government dollars to develop a $125 million, 3.4-mile (5.5 km) line through central Detroit (similar to the Tacoma Link) called the M-1 Rail Line. After much wrangling between the private investors and the DDOT, the two groups decided to work in tandem on developing DDOT's 9.3-mile (15.0 km) line.

The proposed line ran 9.3 miles (15.0 km) along Woodward Avenue from the Rosa Parks Transit Center to the old State Fairgrounds along 8 Mile Road.[5] The line would have had 19 stops with 10 cars running at a time in two-car trains; each train would carry 150 people. The trains would run in a dedicated right-of-way in the median from 8 Mile to Adams Street at the north end of downtown. South of Adams, the trains would run in traffic along the sides of the street.

The estimated cost for the proposed line was $500 million.[5] The Kresge Foundation awarded a $35 million grant to the city for the project in March 2009.[6] It received $25 million in funding from the United States Department of Transportation in February 2010.[7] The Detroit City Council approved the sale of $125 million in bonds on April 11, 2011.[8] The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the City of Detroit signed an environmental impact study on July 1, 2011.[4] Finally, on August 31, 2011, the FTA signed a record of decision allowing the project to move forward.[9]

In December 2011 the federal government withdrew its support for the proposed line, in favor of a bus rapid transit system which would serve the city and suburbs.[10] This decision arose out of discussions between federal Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Governor Rick Snyder. The private investors who had initially supported the smaller three-mile (4.8 km) M-1 Rail line to New Center stated that they would continue developing that project through the nonprofit M-1 Rail Consortium.[11]

Construction

On January 18, 2013, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that M-1 Rail would receive $25 million in federal grant support for the streetcar project.[7][12] In April, the project received final environmental clearance from the federal government, with construction expected to start in the fall.[13]

On December 20, 2013, M-1 Rail began underground utility relocation work along Woodward Avenue, the first step toward full-fledged construction activities of the 3.3-mile (5.3 km) streetcar line, with construction scheduled to start in mid-2014.[14] Stacy & Witbeck were formally awarded the contract to construct the line on July 31, 2013.[7][15] 

M-1 Rail officials announced on July 3, 2014, that the Woodward Avenue overpasses for both I-75 and I-94 freeways will be demolished during construction of the rail line, and that new wider bridges will be built.[16]

On July 20, 2014, the Ilitch family, owner of Olympia Development of Michigan, and major investor in M-1 Rail, announced that the streetcar line will include a stop at the new $450 million Detroit Red Wings arena in Midtown, when construction is completed in mid-2017.[17]

M-1 Rail officially started construction on July 28, 2014[18] 

The streetcar line will stretch from downtown Detroit to Grand Boulevard in New Center.  There will be 20 different stations serving 12 stops, with most of the stations being curbside on either side of Woodward Avenue going uptown or downtown, but changing to center road stations at the north and south ends of the system. The streetcar line is expected to be operational in late 2016.[19]

Rolling stock

According to real estate blog Curbed Detroit, bids from manufacturers willing to build the rolling stock for the line have been received, but the choice has not been made public.[20] Crain's Detroit Business reported that the line would cost $137 million, including the purchase of six streetcar vehicles.[21] Bids were expected to include low-floor, air-conditioned vehicles, capable of transporting passengers in wheelchairs. The vehicles will have operator's controls at both ends—eliminating the need for the vehicles to turn around for their return trips.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Supplemental Environmental Assessment" (PDF). Michigan Department of Transportation. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Schramm, Kenneth (2006). Detroit's Street Railways. Images of Rail. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 7–8, 11–13. ISBN 0-7385-4027-7.
  3. ^ Kurlyandchik, Mark (May 2012). "After 50+ Years, Streetcars Could Come Back to Woodward". Hour Detroit. ISSN 1098-9684. Archived from the original on August 21, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2012. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b "Project Overview". Woodward Light Rail. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Woodward Light Rail Project Cancelled, M-1 Streetcar Still in the Works". Detroit Transportation Riders United. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  6. ^ "Kresge Foundation Awards Nearly $73 Million in Grants in the First Quarter of 2009" (Press release). Council of Michigan Foundations. March 9, 2009.[dead link]
  7. ^ a b c "Detroit Streetcar Construction Contract Awarded". Railway Gazette. August 2, 2013. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2014. The cost of construction is estimated at between $135m and $145m. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "City Council Approves Detroit Light Rail Project". Southfield, MI: WWJ-TV. April 12, 2011.
  9. ^ "Detroit's Woodward Ave. Light Rail Project Moves Forward, but Still Has Long Road to Completion". MLive. Detroit: Booth Newspapers. September 6, 2011. Archived from the original on December 15, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2011. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Bing, Dave (December 18, 2011). "Rapid Bus System Is a Win for Metro Detroit". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
  11. ^ Helms, Matt; Egan, Paul; Gallagher, John (December 14, 2011). "Detroit Light-Rail Plan Is Dead: Buses Will Be Used Instead". Detroit Free Press.
  12. ^ Helms, Matt (January 18, 2013). "Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Brings $25 Million in Federal Aid for M-1 Rail Project". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  13. ^ Helms, Matt (April 22, 2013). "M-1 Rail Project Gets Final OK from Federal Government". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  14. ^ "M-1 Rail Begins Underground Utility Relocation Work, Shutdown of Woodward Avenue Is Not Required: Utility Relocations Will Not Prevent Customer Access to Businesses on Woodward" (Press release). M-1 Rail. December 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  15. ^ Bowen, Douglas John (July 31, 2013). "Stacy and Witbeck Win Detroit M-1 Contract". Railway Age. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Walker, Marlon A. (July 3, 2014). "M-1 Rail Construction to Close Freeways as Woodward Overpasses Are Rebuilt". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 11, 2014 – via M-1 Rail.
  17. ^ Shea, Bill (July 20, 2014). "Detroit Rink City: Ilitches' Grand Plan to Supersize the Entertainment District". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  18. ^ "Detroit Streetcar Breaks Ground". Railway Gazette. July 28, 2014. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2014. Also known as the Woodward Avenue Streetcar, the 5.3 km line would run along Woodward Avenue from Larned Street to East Grand Boulevard with 12 stops. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; August 9, 2014 suggested (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Construction Starts on Detroit Rail". The Mining Journal. Marquette, MI. Associated Press. July 28, 2014. p. 5A.
  20. ^ Beshouri, Paul (February 12, 2014). "Here is What Detroit's New Streetcars Could Look Like". Curbed Detroit. Detroit: Curbed Media. Archived from the original on February 12, 2014. Bids to manufacture Detroit's streetcars were due last October, but M1 Rail officials have yet to release any hints about which model may have been selected, or how the streetcar itself will look. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Shea, Bill (October 14, 2013). "M-1 Rail to Bidders: Contract will begin Dec. 1; Streetcar Service will begin February 2016". Crain's Detroit Business. Archived from the original on February 12, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014. The $137 million nonprofit M-1 Rail effort is seeking a company to design, engineer and manufacture six streetcars for use on the 3.2-mile grade-level rail loop that will be constructed over the next two years on Detroit's Woodward Avenue between West Grand Boulevard and Congress streets. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

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