Light Rail Funding Hits Possible Snag

[BShea]

Again, this issue isn't as big as Crains would like us to think

So you're saying that without the Congressional OK on the M1 Rail/DDOT funding deal, everything will still proceed according to the current plan?

Because without it, I'm curious with a nearly bankrupt city that's already cutting DDOT services and funding will get $220 million.

[dcmorrison12]

What I am getting at - and I apoligize for our argument getting a bit heated BShea - is these types of set backs should be settled out of the spotlight.

Issues pop up, but issues can be solved. DTOGS has been around for three years! Of coure it has hit snags, but if you look around today, the plan is still here. In fact, it's just about complete.

I feel that this should be settled behind the scenes, and not put into the spotlight.

Article likes these give fodder to the cynics and worry the optimists. I say let it be OR, get a hold of a DDOT representative before you send out the article for print.

I understand you attempted to speak with Norman and unforunately it didn't work out.



Let's step back and look at how CLOSE Detroit is at getting a rail line!

Detroit has never been so close, not for 53 years - from the moment the last Street car ran it's course down Woodward. All other attempts haven't even gotten close to achieving the success that DTOGS has.

Let's also not forget that Detroit's application is incredibly strong. Not only do we have $125 million as a private local match, but we also have $55 million in federal bus formula funds to compliment the match. ALSO, MDOT generously programmed $20 million in "Woodward reconstruction" funds. This $20 million was not necessary for the local match, it's simply to strengthen the application. The less money a municipality has to ask for - the better chances they have of recieing the grant money.

Lastly - the entire New Starts process is long, strict, thorough and tiresome. Most cities do NOT get as far as Detroit has. Detorit has already beaten the odds!


I'm confident we will be riding LRT down woodward by 2014