Detroit: M1 Rail project gets final OK from federal government [View all]

from the Detroit Free Press:


The federal government gave its final environmental clearance Monday for the M1 Rail line to begin its work to build a 3.3-mile streetcar line on Woodward between downtown Detroit and the New Center area, a move that the rail line’s leader called a significant step forward.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) completed its environmental review, allowing the project to proceed to its next phases: design, purchase of right-of-way along Woodward and then construction. M1 Rail officials said the decision marks the federal government’s seal of approval for the $140-million plan to build the rail line from Congress to just north of Grand Boulevard, with stops along the route.

“It’s a big step,” M1 Rail President and CEO Matt Cullen told the Free Press. “We’ve been expecting it for a long time, but actually getting it done is an important emotional step. We’re excited about it.”

Cullen said construction south of Adams could start in late summer or early fall and move north of Adams in 2014, in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Transportation’s reconstruction next year of 2.5 miles of Woodward between Sibley and Chandler. M1 expects that the rail line will be up and running by late 2015. ....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/article/20130422/NEWS/304220141/M1-Rail-streetcar-Detroit-Woodward