Re: Woodward Light Rail
Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:56 am
You all do realize it's a streetcar now and not light rail, right?
B1G - The Big Train
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https://mail.railroadfan.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=23840
From the TRAINS.DETROIT – The city of Detroit has awarded a contract to Parsons Brinckerhoff for design review and construction quality assurance services for the Woodward Avenue Streetcar Project.
The 3.2-mile streetcar line is being designed and built by M-1 Rail, a consortium of businesses and local organizations, in partnership with the city of Detroit and the Michigan Department of Transportation. The route will run along Woodward Avenue from the city’s downtown, through midtown, to the New Center area, and includes 11 stations with connections to Amtrak and the Detroit People Mover.
Under the contract, Parsons Brinckerhoff is assisting the city with reviews of the project’s design plans, design criteria manual, and design specifications. The firm will also act as the city’s representative for quality assurance during construction of the project.
The Woodward Avenue Streetcar Project is funded from foundation, corporate, institutional, and Detroit Development Authority sources, along with a $25 million federal grant.
Parsons Brinckerhoff conducted a supplemental environmental assessment for the project, which received an amended record of decision in April. Construction is expected to start in mid-October with completion in fall 2015.
I have no fear walking around Detroit, I just watch my back a little more, but generally I am just as aware walking around Detroit as I am walking around any city.
In modern-day public transportation, NOTHING is ever that easy.wagnew0923 wrote:Most of the old street car rails are still in place under the blacktop. Why not use those. They should be well preserved you just need to run wire to electrify them.
wagnew0923 wrote:Most of the old street car rails are still in place under the blacktop. Why not use those. They should be well preserved you just need to run wire to electrify them.
wagnew0923 wrote:Most of the old street car rails are still in place under the blacktop. Why not use those. They should be well preserved you just need to run wire to electrify them.
An extensive freeway system constructed in the 1950s, '60s, '70s, and '80s encouraged auto commuting. In 1956, Detroit's last heavily used electric streetcar line along the length of Woodward Avenue was ripped out and replaced with gas powered buses. It was the last line of what had once been a 534 miles network of electric streetcars. In 1941, a streetcar had once ran on Woodward Avenue every 60 seconds at peak times
I think this is worth repeatingMQT3001 wrote:If they really want to see light rail go in somewhere, they should come over to Grand Rapids!