Voters Push For Rapid Rail In Detroit

"Two years ago, SEMCOG launched a research project to determine whether building a rapid transit line along the 50-mile Detroit-to-Ann Arbor corridor is feasible technically and financially. The proposed line, which last year received $100 million congressional commitment for engineering, design and construction, could be Detroit's rapid transit starter line, the one that shows that commuters, residents and visitors will use something other than their private vehicles to get around. Such starter lines have been essential to making the case for building the modern regional systems that are strengthening the economic competitiveness of Denver, St. Louis, Dallas, San Diego, Portland and more than a dozen other metropolitan regions."

The reason for delay has been cited by local officials as an uncertainty about public support and enthusiasm for the project. But many transit advocates are now using the recently approved suburban bus system funding measure as ammunition to get politicians to follow up on the much-delayed rail plan.