Detroit council approves bond sale for Woodward light rail
Darren A. Nichols / The Detroit News

Detroit— The City Council today passed about $100 million in funding for the light rail project along Woodward Avenue.

The council voted 8-0 to approve $125 million in bonds and a $25 million federal Transit Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant. Officials said passing the money today is a key first step in an effort to finally get a light rail system in Detroit. About $74 million in the bonds will go to the rail project and another $50 million will go to buses and other improvements.

"Detroit is a world-class city, and we should not be without rapid transit," Council President Charles Pugh said. "The fact we've gotten to this point where we have a real commitment from the federal government [[and) leadership in this city. Now we need the next step.

"This is something that we need [[and) we want. It will improve development along that Woodward corridor. This is exciting. It's a big day for the city."

The funding passed today will pay for the M-1 project from the Michigan State Fairgrounds to the New Center area. Officials said $100 million has already been pledged from local investors to complete the local match for funds. The entire project will cost $528 million, officials said.

The funding passed today will pay for the first leg of the M-1 project, a 3.4 mile, 12-station line from Hart Plaza to the New Center area. Ground breaking is expected to start in 2012 and it should be running by 2015, officials said.

"It means we're off and running and Detroit is going to be with the first leg with the M-1 line being the initial starting point," Council President Pro Tem Gary Brown said. "It gives us the starting point and the ability to raise dollars and get [[funding) from Washington before others capture those dollars."

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From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110411/...#ixzz1JFXrwU7q