Are Plans for Detroit's Light Rail Back On Track?

Just three weeks after the city announced it was cancelling plans for a 9.3-mile light rail line, a truncated version may be built, but with some key caveats.

1 minute read

January 16, 2012, 2:00 PM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


Mayor Dave Bing recently announced plans for a light rail line down Woodward Avenue, just three weeks after abandoning city-led efforts to build a longer line down the same corridor. What's new this time? Requirements that the line be funded by a private group and that an acceptable business plan be submitted within 90 days.

Writing in The Transport Politic, Yonah Freemark analyzes this recent turn of events and its larger implications: "the circumstances in which the project's reactivation has occurred speak to a continued dysfunction not only in the City of Detroit but in American transportation politics in general.

Sunday, January 8, 2012 in the transport politic

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 7, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2, 2026 - Baltimore Sun

A rendering of the waterfront development, which shows a lit-up stage by the waterfront and people walking about.

Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment

Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.

October 2, 2026 - ABC 7

A row of cars parked next to a building. One car drives perpendicular to the parked cars.

Less housing, wasted money: study reveals impact of city parking mandates

The study found that 71% of carless households in the United States pay for a parking space they don’t use.

6 hours ago - California YIMBY

A brick building with windows and a stone plaque that reads "The Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building"

Minnesota seeks to replace fraud-ridden Housing Stabilization Services with new program

Federal prosecutors have charged over a dozen people in fraud cases involving at least $26 million.

7 hours ago - Minnesota Reformer

A flooded road in Oakland.

A multi-billion dollar problem is brewing under Oakland’s streets

Oakland’s stormwater drainage systems are in desperate need of upgrades and repairs. The El Niño will only further strain the city’s infrastructure.

October 11 - Mercury News