Woodward light rail project takes giant leap forward

DETROIT (WXYZ) - The M-1 RAIL project has taken a giant leap forward with the completion of the final environmental impact statement.

The statement moves the project one step closure to a final Record of Decision by the September 1 deadline. It also lays out the final route for the Woodward rail project which will run from downtown to Eight Mile Road.

The light rail project will have 19 passenger stations. In the downtown area it will turn west down Congress to Washington Boulevard, then north to the Rosa Parks Transit Center. From the transit center it will head south on Washington Boulevard to Larned, east on Larned to Woodward and then north on Woodward to Eight Mile Road.

In announcing the completion of the FEIS, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said, "This is a landmark moment in Detroit’s journey to make light rail a reality in our city. With the support of FTA staff we have reached this target faster than many believed was possible. From the beginning, we pledged that this administration would work tirelessly to get this project off the ground and today we are one step closer."

Once the final Record of Decision is completed by the Federal Transit Administration, Detroit will be cleared to use a $25 million TIGER grant as part of the M-1 RAIL project, as well as $300 million in federal funds the city will apply for through the federal New Starts process.

City Council has also approved the issuing of $75 million in bonds as part of the local commitment towards the project. Local business and civic leaders have also pledged an additional $100 million in funding towards the project.