Are You on Board for Light Rail?

Do you believe light rail is a good investment for Detroit?

That’s the question this week after the light rail circulator project along Woodward Avenue in Detroit received $25 million in federal funding.

The proposed 3.3-mile light rail circulator will have 11 stations on Woodward running from downtown to New Center, according to a press release.

Light rail has the support of many business and political leaders, including Roger Penske, the chairman of M-1 RAIL, and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.

“Investing in infrastructure and transportation projects like this are absolutely vital to our economic recovery, and this important funding will make the M-1 project a reality and bring with it nearly 2,000 jobs for the region,” U.S. Rep. John Dingell, a Democrat from Dearborn, said in a statement. “For far too long, Detroit has been one of the only major cities in this country without a source of mass transit, but that ends today. Those who have helped move this project forward at every turn understand that it will help bring opportunity to this great city, in business recruitment, foot traffic in our stores and shops, and reliable, modern transportation that folks can rely on. I’m proud to have worked to help secure this important funding.”

What do you think? Is light rail a good idea for Detroit and southeastern Michigan? Leave a comment to let us know what you think.