Detroit area media were excited to report on this morning’s press conference about Woodward Light Rail progress:
Detroit News: Detroit moves forward with plan for light-rail project
- Construction on the Woodward Light Rail project is expected to begin next year.
- The first phase of the project that would begin in 2011 will stretch from downtown to West Grand Boulevard, approximately 3.4 miles. The second phase will go from Grand Boulevard to Eight Mile and is estimated to be completed by 2016.
- The first public meeting regarding the Woodward Light Rail Project will be held Aug. 14 at the Considine Little Rock Family Life Center.
Detroit News: Woodward rail clears roadblock; Transportation chief to give details in Detroit stop today
Megan Owens, executive director of Detroit public transit advocacy organization Transit Riders United, said light rail on Woodward would offer a "critical kick start" to building out a larger regional system over the coming decade.
FoxDetroit: Detroit Rail Line about to clear hurdle
Crain’s Detroit Business: Light rail gets Obama push; Next stop: Environmental impact statement
- U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is scheduled to announce today that the project is beginning the 12- to 18-month process of putting together the environmental impact statement. His department oversees the process and will determine if the project will be awarded funding.
- The goal is not just to get a project that is environmentally clear; the goal is also to get one you can fund. Detroit will be competing with other cities for the New Starts money.
Crain’s Detroit Business (update): Transportation secretary announces launch of environmental study for light rail project
- The project has been entered into the Federal Register, the first step in the environmental impact statement process. Successful completion of the project is needed to qualify the rail effort for up to 80 percent of federal funding for capital costs, most of which would come from the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts program.
MLive: Light rail announcement coming Monday? Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Secretary Ray LaHood said to reveal info at event
Model D Media (July 26): Can light rail keep the kids in Detroit?
Detroit Free Press (July 23): Bing hints U.S. is backing Woodward light-rail project