That would be very forward-looking for MDOT, and I hope they did indeed anticipate the need for rail down the center north of Grand. It's pretty obvious that MDOT thinks the project is going to happen, or else they would have redone Woodward all the way down to the Fisher as was originally planned. They probably held-off because of the debate over median-running vs. curbside-running south of Grand Blvd.

I'm also really glad they are moving fast on this project [[by federal standards, this DEIS was completed in record time). Not only because Detroit need it badly, but because Republicans in Washington are proposing to cut the New Starts budget [[this is where most of the federal money will come from). However, the budget Obama submitted today calls for significantly expanded transportation infrastructure spending, hoping to take advantage of low material and labor cost while creating construction jobs. Recent statements by the Secretary of Transportation also show that Ray LaHood is very much behind this project. He even went so far as to say the Bing is his favorite mayor in the country!

So, if you're in favor of this project, keep showing your support for the President. If the tea party activists win this debate there will be no funding coming from the feds.