Transportation Riders United (TRU)

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
TRU comments on SEMCOG long-range plan and MDOT rail plans

In addition to our education, organizing, and advocacy work, TRU also works hard to track and influence key transportation decisions throughout the region and state. Two such opportunities arose in the past few weeks:

SEMCOG has been developing their long-range transportation plan - Direction 2035. It consists of transportation projects anticipated over the next 26 years, as well as policies and initiatives to be carried out by both SEMCOG and its partner agencies to keep the region moving.
- While it overall is somewhat more supportive of transit and less of widening highways, TRU still had some substantial concerns. It still includes expansions of I-75, I-94 and other roads, while it only includes the first three rapid transit projects (Woodward light rail to 8 Mile, AA-Detroit commuter rail, and Wally). Read about these issues and other concerns in TRU's official comments on Direction 2035.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Indiana and Illinois, is proposing significant improvements to the Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac segment of the Chicago Hub High-Speed Rail Corridor. MDOT recently completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) that describes the proposed improvements and steps taken to minimize harm to the surrounding area.
- TRU seized this opportunity to provide input as well, primarily positive. Read TRU's comments on the Detroit-Chicago rail EA as well.