Detroit streetcar plan on track for fed aid

**begingri** · August-20-12, 05:10 PM

LaHood cites 'lot of progress' in bid to win $25M backing
By David Shepardson
Detroit News Washington Bureau

Alexandria, Va. — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says Detroit's $137 million streetcar project is on track to win federal backing and he hopes to make a funding announcement soon.

"We're making a lot of progress," LaHood told The Detroit News here after an event to warn about the dangers of children in hot cars.

"We've had our people meeting with the team up there."

In late June, LaHood said the streetcar project up Woodward would not get $25 million in federal support as part of a round of grants announced this summer, adding the government will back the project if it overcomes some key hurdles.

But LaHood also said he has set aside $25 million for the 3.3-mile project from downtown to Midtown if organizers can clear hurdles. He reiterated Friday the money is in place.
M-1 advocates have sought $25 million in federal grants for the $137 million project.

Regional leaders in February settled on a 34-station, four-line regional rapid bus system that would connect downtown Detroit with Macomb and Oakland counties and Detroit Metropolitan Airport. M-1 hopes to connect its line to the bus system.

The regional transit system requires the approval of the state Legislature, which still hasn't happened.

Full story at: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz247vayCbh

**stasu1213** · August-20-12, 05:39 PM

I would be glad when something is done to Woodward between Grand Circus Park thru Grand Boulevard. I had never seen a main thoroughfare so raggedy and badly need of repaving in my life. The neglect is embarrassing and hard on the cars.

**Detroitnerd** · August-20-12, 05:41 PM

Is this for the smart, center-running plan or the stupid, gutter-running plan?

**rex** · August-20-12, 07:18 PM

lol. I wish they would stop lying to us about streetcars and public transpo in Detroit.

**brizee** · August-20-12, 08:38 PM

WTF-ever.

Just do something and stop talking about.

The transportation and scrapping bills, two things that would have an almost immediate positive impact on the city and all communities haven't been touched in the house or senate in months.

They're not serious.