A long-stalled, but partially built-out, commuter rail line has achieved institutional legitimacy with the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan. Novembers will have a chance to decide on the idea in November.
"The Regional Transit Authority wants to give life to a long-stalled Ann Arbor to Detroit commuter rail line that would connect the cities’ downtowns," reports Leonard N Fleming.
"The 38-mile line has been discussed for more than a decade but was in need of a funding source. The RTA plans to solve that issue by folding the cost of the service, which would use existing Amtrak lines, into its November millage request," adds Fleming.
According to Fleming, the proposal grew out of the Michigan Avenue Corridor Study, recently approved by the RTA board. The study also included the possibility of bus-rapid transit and a connection to the QLine (formerly known as the M-1 streetcar). Paul Hillegonds, RTA board chair, is on the record in article talking about how the existing infrastructure for the proposed Ann Arbor-Detroit connector makes the cost for the line competitive with bus-rapid transit.
FULL STORY: RTA wants Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail service
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Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
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Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
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