A Transit System Whose Time Has Come
Woodward Light Rail Project Overview
Planning for a rapid transit system began in 2006 when the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) conducted an Alternatives Analysis (AA) study known as Detroit Transit Options for Growth Study (DTOGS). The study resulted in the selection of light rail service on Woodward from downtown to Eight Mile Road as the locally preferred alternative.
Subsequently, the Woodward light rail alternative 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 light 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.
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.
