After M-1 Rail

[Mackinaw]

Should start immediately on an extension and/or connecting link from Woodward to Van Dyke or perhaps even Waterworks via Jefferson. Jefferson should be targeted for a density infusion, with highrises going in its many vacant and car-lot / gas-station filled frontage, and immediate purpose served in connecting the Gold Coast and Indian/West Village to downtown.

If Michigan Ave, it has to go out to Dearborn.

I think we need progress on Detroit to Ann Arbor commuter rail and increased Amtrak service. It appears Amtrak is going to stick with New Center as its Detroit hub. Obviously a little part of me would like to see MCS reused for rail, but if not, I see less reason to rush on a Michigan Ave light rail. Rather, Michigan and Gratiot should probably see BRT going out to distant suburbs, instead.

As for Woodward, let Royal Oak, Ferndale, and Birmingham be the drivers. In time, they will want linkage. Let LBP's successor make it an issue and let Oakland county pay for an M1 extension.

[ekleezy]

Should start immediately on an extension and/or connecting link from Woodward to Van Dyke or perhaps even Waterworks via Jefferson. Jefferson should be targeted for a density infusion, with highrises going in its many vacant and car-lot / gas-station filled frontage, and immediate purpose served in connecting the Gold Coast and Indian/West Village to downtown.

If Michigan Ave, it has to go out to Dearborn.

As for Woodward, let Royal Oak, Ferndale, and Birmingham be the drivers. In time, they will want linkage. Let LBP's successor make it an issue and let Oakland county pay for an M1 extension.

I agree with using a Jefferson line to encourage high-density development. Having lines running through that neighborhood would be really good too. If there were Van Dyke, Mt. Elliot, Gratiot and Jefferson lines that would do a lot to connect the area. Jefferson would definitely be a good start though.

I can't imagine having a Michigan Ave line to Dearborn being feasible any time soon. I think two miles or less of service from Campus Martius to just before I75 would be a success.

I like what you said about making Oakland County pay for an extension if they want it. So much of the distance between New Center and Ferndale wouldn't get enough use for it to make sense for Detroit to do it right now.

[Junjie]

Here's a map, since I can't help myself. What I like is that, if M-1 is a success and there is momentum/funding for additional extensions, each of these projects is of the same scope as the original M-1 segment.

Of course, there's a whole separate question about how these might interact with BRT. I know that the official plan has BRT moving off of Woodward through midtown/downtown to avoid M-1, but obviously that's not really an option with Michigan and Gratiot since there are no directly parallel streets.

[dtowncitylover]

Here's a map, since I can't help myself. What I like is that, if M-1 is a success and there is momentum/funding for additional extensions, each of these projects is of the same scope as the original M-1 segment.

Of course, there's a whole separate question about how these might interact with BRT. I know that the official plan has BRT moving off of Woodward through midtown/downtown to avoid M-1, but obviously that's not really an option with Michigan and Gratiot since there are no directly parallel streets.

What about a northeastward expansion via Holbrook or Grand Blvd and Hamtramck Dr. to Holbrook and Jos Campeau. I think that would add a lot of usefulness for Hamtramck to attract residents and business, etc.

[Junjie]

What about a northeastward expansion via Holbrook or Grand Blvd and Hamtramck Dr. to Holbrook and Jos Campeau. I think that would add a lot of usefulness for Hamtramck to attract residents and business, etc.

Agreed, Hamtramck would be great. Like this? It could be an extension of the original M-1/QLINE or its own thing.

[Had to delete my first attempt at this reply...]

[dtowncitylover]

Agreed, Hamtramck would be great. Like this? It could be an extension of the original M-1/QLINE or its own thing.

[Had to delete my first attempt at this reply...]

Beautiful.

[MicrosoftFan]

Agreed, Hamtramck would be great. Like this? It could be an extension of the original M-1/QLINE or its own thing.

[Had to delete my first attempt at this reply...]

How about an extension from MCS down Vernor, into Mexicantown? That'd be great for SW Detroit business.

[ABetterDetroit]

Agreed, Hamtramck would be great. Like this? It could be an extension of the original M-1/QLINE or its own thing.

[Had to delete my first attempt at this reply...]

On this map it is really impressive what just adding another line equal to the 3.3 miles of the Qline can do. All have solid merit, its hard to choose just one.

[Newdetroit]

What about adding a line on West and East Grand Boulevards and circle the area in, and then add two lines down Warren and Mack from E Grand to W Grand? And then have all the spokes hit E and W Grand. Basically Woodward up to W Grand, Gratiot up to E. Grand, E. Jefferson up to E. Grand, Grand River up to W. Grand, Michigan up to W. Grand, and then W. Jefferson up to W. Grand.

Sorry, I don't know how to draw it on a map... But I think it would be great idea. Any thoughts?

[Hermod]

What about adding a line on West and East Grand Boulevards and circle the area in, and then add two lines down Warren and Mack from E Grand to W Grand? And then have all the spokes hit E and W Grand. Basically Woodward up to W Grand, Gratiot up to E. Grand, E. Jefferson up to E. Grand, Grand River up to W. Grand, Michigan up to W. Grand, and then W. Jefferson up to W. Grand.

Sorry, I don't know how to draw it on a map... But I think it would be great idea. Any thoughts?

How about:

[MicrosoftFan]

How about:

Why do trains stop at Pontiac? Why don't Flint trains travel via Pontiac?

[Hermod]

Why do trains stop at Pontiac? Why don't Flint trains travel via Pontiac?

The promoters of the route through Rochester were able to raise money to build.

Remember, the interurbans were built with private capital. People living in their mother's basements were not able to plan them on their computers.

[Junjie]

What about adding a line on West and East Grand Boulevards and circle the area in, and then add two lines down Warren and Mack from E Grand to W Grand? And then have all the spokes hit E and W Grand. Basically Woodward up to W Grand, Gratiot up to E. Grand, E. Jefferson up to E. Grand, Grand River up to W. Grand, Michigan up to W. Grand, and then W. Jefferson up to W. Grand.

Sorry, I don't know how to draw it on a map... But I think it would be great idea. Any thoughts?

Here you go. It is definitely a lot of streetcar mileage... about 35 total miles, or the equivalent of 10 more M-1 projects! And you'd be sending them through some pretty depopulated areas on the Mack and Warren routes especially.

[Newdetroit]

Here you go. It is definitely a lot of streetcar mileage... about 35 total miles, or the equivalent of 10 more M-1 projects! And you'd be sending them through some pretty depopulated areas on the Mack and Warren routes especially.

Awesome! But you forgot Grand River..

[Junjie]

Awesome! But you forgot Grand River..

Dang, so I did. Sorry about that. Tack on another 3.5 miles and call it 11 more M-1 Rail sized projects...

[MicrosoftFan]

If Michigan Ave, it has to go out to Dearborn.

On the Michigan Avenue corridor I would prefer to see either 1) Commuter Rail or 2) Light Rail along the Amtrak ROW.

Also, if Commuter Rail starts from Ann Arbor to Detroit, the Q-Line is intergal to getting people from the Amtrak / Commuter Rail Station to Downtown. In addition, I think Commuter Rail should be extended up the Amtrak route to Pontiac, possibly even to Flint from there.