Amtrak Wants to Extend the Wolverine Line With Service From Detroit to Toronto

There hasn't been a passenger rail connection between Detroit and Toronto since 1971, but that could change.

1 minute read

August 14, 2019, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Amtrak Train

A Wolverine Line train crossing the St. Joseph River in Niles, Michigan. | Tim_kd5urs / Wikimedia Commons

"Amtrak is considering a proposal that would extend the Wolverine line’s rail service from Chicago to Toronto," reports Wood TV 8.

The idea was first pitched in March in a grant request submitted by Amtrak, according to the article.

"The proposal involves extending the route of a Chicago-Detroit Wolverine train through Ontario and into Toronto."

A Michigan Department of Transportation Twitter account published a slide from a presentation by Amtrak at the recent Michigan Rail Conference, showing more details about the proposal.

A hat tip goes to Aaron Short for sharing the news and for providing more detail on the proposal at this early point in the process.

Friday, August 9, 2019 in Wood TV 8

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square