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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About the Woodward Light Rail Project

  Q: How did this initial Woodward Light Rail plan come together?

A: The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) conducted an Alternatives Analysis (AA) study (Detroit Transit Options for Growth Study, or DTOGS) to select an initial rapid transit project to advance under the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) New Starts program. The study resulted in the selection of light rail service on Woodward from downtown to Eight Mile Road as the locally preferred alternative.  Subsequently, it was incorporated into the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) regional Transportation Improvement Plan and Long Range Transportation Plan.

At the same time, a group of business and civic leaders (M-1 RAIL) was exploring how to bring rail service to Woodward Avenue as the first phase of a regional transit system. The M-1 RAIL and DTOGS plans are now aligned as the Woodward Light Rail project.

Q: What route will the Woodward Light Rail line follow and where will stops be located?

A: The final alignment and station locations will be determined during the environmental compliance and Preliminary Engineering (PE) phases of the project. Generally, the service will operate on Woodward Avenue between Downtown Detroit and the State Fairgrounds – a distance of approximately 9.3 miles.

Station locations will be strategically located near key destinations. Locations that are under consideration include the following:

  • Detroit Riverfront
  • Downtown
  • Campus Martius Park
  • Entertainment District
  • Detroit Institute of Arts
  • Midtown / Cultural Center
  • Detroit Medical Center
  • Wayne State University
  • College for Creative Studies
  • Tech Town
  • Amtrak Station
  • New Center, Henry Ford Hospital
  • Hazelwood Street / Holbrook Street
  • Calvert Street
  • Glendale Street
  • Manchester Street
  • McNichols Road
  • Seven Mile Road
  • State Fairgrounds
Q: When does construction begin?

A: Light rail on Woodward will be implemented as a single project built in two phases. While a final schedule has yet to be developed, construction is anticipated to begin in 2011 on the first phase with the full system up and operational by 2016. The two phases are:

             1st Phase: Downtown Detroit to West Grand Boulevard
 
  • This phase is approximately 3.4 miles and will be advanced as expeditiously as possible with the necessary federal approvals.

             2nd Phase: West Grand Boulevard to Eight Mile Road

  • Utilizing the same vehicles and maintenance facility as Phase 1, this portion of the project will complete Detroit’s initial light rail project and set the stage for future growth of the regional system.

Q: How much will the Woodward Light Rail project cost?

A: The cost of the project will be determined during the Preliminary Engineering (PE) phase and is dependent on the final alignment, station locations and number, as well as the final cost of materials which are constantly fluctuating. For planning purposes, a range of $450 - $500 million is currently being used.

Q: How will the Woodward Light Rail project be paid for?

The main sources of funding for the project are approximately $125 million in private philanthropy and public investment raised by M-1 RAIL, a $25 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant and an anticipated grant from the FTA under the New Starts program that could cover up to 60 percent of the capital cost.

Q: What are the next steps?

A: In order for Federal funds to be used on the project, Federal environmental requirements need to be met.  On Friday, July 30 a “Notice of Intent” was published by FTA in the Federal Register.  This notice signifies a significant federal interest in the project and begins the process of affording an early opportunity for the public and agencies to identify potential issues to be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). For more information on the FTA’s EIS development process, please visit the following website: http://www.fta.dot.gov/planning/environment/planning_environment_3009.html

Another important next step is to begin Preliminary Engineering, (PE).  During PE, key elements of the project will be refined including the scope of the project, schedule, costs, the project management plan and financial plan. PE along with the EIS will result in determining the final alignment and station locations. Preliminary Engineering (PE) for the project is expected to be underway by this fall.

Q: How can I participate?

A: On Saturday August 14, a public meeting will be held at the Considine Little Rock Family Life Center (Auditorium), 8094 Woodward in Detroit at which members of the public can make comments regarding the proposed Woodward Light Rail project.  Two meeting times have been set as follows:  11:00 AM – 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.  The meetings are open to all members of the public.