Keep light-rail opportunity on track for city, region

[rencense]

Well I really hope that the financing works out! My only concern is the private investors deciding that there's not a business case for light rail [[and as we know public transit is rarely self sustainable much less profitable) If it gets off the ground we'll need some type of transit authority to keep things funded, running, and expanding into the future.

One thing that I hope is resolved eventually is to expand the line 1 or 2 miles north of the city limits. While I'm not a big fan of Oakland county in general I hate to see places like ferndale and ro get lumped in with all the way-up-north sprawlships that will likely never be interested in transit [[even if they were I think there needs to be a certain level of population density to make it work.) RO and ferndale have a lot of people who enjoy somewhat urban living and I believe would use light rail to get downtown/WSU/etc and spend money in the CBD. I suppose I'm getting ahead of myself here I just figure that it may be worthwhile to spend a little more initially to start off with a larger user base. Whatever the case I'll celebrate when I see ground broken.

now how long do we think it will be til some assclown starts in on the whole magical choo-choo train to nowhere line?

[esp1986]

Rick Snyder has said a few things that really could help this project... 1) Reliable Transit [[other than cars) is essential to an economy's long term growth. 2) A regional business center [[Detroit) that is thriving. He has made both of these points a number of times, and despite being a Republican, appears willing to help the M-1 effort, possibly by providing a state subsidy when the time calls for it.

[bailey]

Rick Snyder has said a few things that really could help this project... 1) Reliable Transit [[other than cars) is essential to an economy's long term growth. 2) A regional business center [[Detroit) that is thriving. He has made both of these points a number of times, and despite being a Republican, appears willing to help the M-1 effort, possibly by providing a state subsidy when the time calls for it.

Rick Michigan doesn't get to do diddly unless the outstate and exurban republicans who now run everything says he can. There will be no help from Lansing on any thing Detroit related. especially something seen as a wasteful money pit. yes no transit system ever makes money...tell that to the Mackinaw Center--- they;ll be writing all legislation for the next 4 [[probably 8) years.

[rsa.313]

important to note that this is an "opinion" piece. IMO the ultimate motivation was a polite way of endorsing a regional transit authority.

the planning phases are on track [[forgive the pun). look for the Environmental Impact Study to be published around the end of the month.

also important to remember that the woodward light rail project is two phases. while the private funding is being leveraged for federal funding for both phases, their primary interest is seeing the first phase [[hart plaza to grand boulevard) completed. this will be completed first and may even be up and runnin in two years. the main doubts are the completion of the second phase.

currently there is a group of elected officials of the communities along woodward to show their support for rapid transit along woodward to maple road. look for a resolution to be published in the next month. there is support for rapid transit and/or extending the woodward light rail to birmingham. however this group is still in it's infancy [[pre-planning). also look for a response to this particular editorial from this group to be published in the paper this week.

[Zozo]

also look for a response to this particular editorial from this group to be published in the paper this week.

Would you mind posting their response here in case I miss it?

[casscorridor]

I am positive the Woodward Light-Rail project to the fairgrounds will be completed. What I am unsure of is when there will be any extensions.

If the Woodward Line is extended, I guarantee you it won't go past Royal Oak. Birmingham is simply too far for such technology.

As far as a second line? I wouldn't count on it, at least not during this Snyder's governorship or Obama's presidency. Getting light-rail to Royal Oak is the probably the best we can do for now, but that is still a gamble.

For now, we should all make sure the the rail is completed to the Fairgrounds!!

Once people see the benefits of rail transit, future projects will be funded. But yeah, post-2016.

[bailey]

Once people see the benefits of rail transit, future projects will be funded. But yeah, post-2016.

The problem being, the ones that need to be convinced about the benefits of rail transit don't live anywhere near the line and will likely never ride it.