Detroit on the move with Woodward Avenue light-rail line

On Friday, I went to the Detroit area with President Obama. There, the President emphatically declared, "The US auto industry is on the move!"

Yesterday, I went back to Detroit with Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff to declare, just as emphatically, that "The city of Detroit is on the move!"

Thanks to a coalition of foundations, activists, planners, and local leaders, one demonstration of Detroit's forward progress is the proposed light-rail transit line on Woodward Avenue.

You know, for any Secretary of Transportation, Woodward Avenue is sacred ground. A century ago, Woodward was the first street paved with concrete anywhere in the world. Its traffic was among the first to be managed by modern stop lights (invented by a Detroit police officer). And Woodward was once the backbone of a model streetcar network and transit system replicated in cities across the United States.

Today, the proposed Woodward Avenue light-rail line adds another page to the storied tradition of Motor City innovation. Now, I'm not just talking about the light-rail line itself, and I'm not just talking about the development of livable communities that new transit will foster.

I'm talking about the forward-thinking public-private partnership that is making the Woodward Avenue line possible.

The City of Detroit will take the lead on the project. But, funding for the initial 3.4 mile phase is coming from M-1 Rail, a group of private investors who saw the value of this project early on and raised $125 million for a line extending from Hart Plaza to New Center. And DOT's TIGER program--funded by the Recovery Act--also awarded the project $25 million in February.

The second phase of the project will extend the rail line out to Eight Mile Road.

Detroit's business community knows that revitalized transit infrastructure can ignite redevelopment. The know the Woodward Avenue line will create jobs, revitalize this celebrated corridor, and generate a ripple effect that helps countless local businesses. It will give people an efficient, sustainable way to get from one place to another. And it will help make Detroit a livable city, where transit brings housing closer to jobs, businesses, and essential services.

To show our support for this combined project, Administrator Rogoff and I announced that DOT will work closely with Detroit to complete the environmental review process for this crucial 9.3-mile project all at once, rather than one phase at a time.

This kind of cooperation doesn't just happen; it takes patience and an understanding of the project’s real value. So I want to thank everyone who came together to help this state-local-federal-private partnership meet its first objectives: Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, US Senator Debbie Stabenow, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, US Representative Carolyn Cheeks-Kirkpatrick, Rip Rapson, and Roger Penske.

Comments

[Todd Scott]

Michigan is on the move as well. Governor Granholm signed the Complete Streets legislation late Sunday evening. This means MDOT will be adopting a Complete Streets policy that will make state trunklines such as Woodward more livable.

Thank you, Secretary LaHood, not only for visiting Detroit but for your leadership on the issue of livability.

[M.O.B.S.]

It's good to see that the private sector and government working together to achieve a common goal. I tip my hat to all evolved, good job! The people of Detroit will surly benefit from such an undertaking.

[Bob Warsham]

I am told that I rode the last streetcar run on Woodward Avenue in 1956...I can't wait to ride the new line. This has been a long time coming and certainly will advance development along the route. Thanks to the President and the other officials involved with the financing.

[The Asphalt Blogger]

As nice as it sounds, Detroit is far from on the move. Until Jobs are created and unemployment stops hovering near, at or above 30%, small projects like the light rail will do nothing to improve Detroit's situation.

[Wade White]

It is good to see that economic development plays a large part in this decision-making process. Detroit can surely use it and it sets a great precedent for other such endeavors in the US where offering transportation alternatives consistent with the character of an area (i.e. not just geared towards faster commuter options) drive much of the discussion in finding the locally preferred alternative.

[John Lindenmayer]

Secretary LaHood,

Thank you for coming to Michigan recently and for your support of light rail here in the "auto state". As you correctly point out in your post, Woodward Ave was indeed the first paved road in American. A little know fact is that this grassroots advocacy effort for paved roads was led by the bicycling community. See our blog post about the Good Roads Movement on the Michigan Complete Streets Coalition site:

http://michigancompletestreets.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/from-good-roads-to-complete-streets/

John Lindenmayer
League of Michigan Bicyclists

[Michael E. Bailey]

This transit project is a great example of what can happen when different jurisdictions work cooperatively together for a common goal. WE need this same kind of cooperation to bring good public transportation to our rural areas where in many cases it is now poor or does not exist or it is handled totally by unregulated private interests who do as they please and charge as they will with no standards or quality control. Another great example of interagency cooperation in transportation that has work great is the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Resservation Public Bus Service. It was brought about by cooperation between the Tribal Government, rural towns and rural counties in Northeast Oregon and the cities of Walla Walla, Pasco, and Kennewick in Washington. The buses serve the reservation, small rural communities, and the 3 larger Washington cities and its all a fare free transportation system. The Tribal Government's buses are timed to meet Valley Transit buses at Walla Walla and Ben Franklin buses at Pasco and Kennewick and also the Grapeline bus from Walla Walla to the Greyhound Regional Terminal in Pasco. This is a model for rural public transportation. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Heather Carmona]

Thank you Mr. Secretary for your recognition of Woodward Avenue - don't forget it's a National Byway and All-American Road too! I remember from our meeting in March you promised to deliver for our region and we're so thankful. We look forward to strenghtening the cooperation between the Byway funds and the transportation funds for a liveable Woodward!

[Roland Breech]

The Asphalt Blogger, Hater you are. You can't see the future because you don't have vision. Visionary people have hopes to create, ensure, plan then share a possibility of what the future could look like. Helen Keller said “Without vision you are blind” blind to see a head.
Once the project is on going, small businesses, and new business owners will trek along side Woodward Ave, some near some across state lines. Yet, they may be small business but they carry weight to employee people as well. Family businesses, similar to many main street attraction thou out the country pick one any one. Building the light rail system creates jobs short term and long term, entrepreneurs create jobs too. How unimaginable can you be for the future no matter what geographic area, patience time will cure Detroit; at least here’s a plan, is your plan on the table. Our condition did not happen overnight and overnight and overnight will not correct it.

[Luke]

This sounds great, but detroit is almost a desert. Small project like the light rail might not do as not much as we are hoping for or even nothing to improve the Detroit's situation. I hope I'm mistken but this is how it looks

Cheers
Luke

[Josh]

waste of money. Detroit needs no rail system.

[Ben]

Waste of money

[Bill Smite]

They need to kill that project and work on getting business open and running again.

[Boboz]

Such a big waste of money. I don't agree.

[PeterImports]

I am optimistic that these people will make Detroit a better place for children and also to attract investors.