Plans to establish a commuter rail line between Detroit and Ann Arbor are still on track and a demonstration line is expected to be up and running by later this year.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) is in negotiations to establish the line that would connect Detroit and Ann Arbor to Metro Airport. Details about the line, such as the number of trains and when they’ll run, are still being determined.
“A lot of that is going to depend on the negotiations with the freight railroads that own the tracks,” said Carmine Palombo, director of transportation for SEMCOG.
The starter line would utilize existing tracks with stops at Metro Airport, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Dearborn. It’s possible it could also be expanded to connect Royal Oak, Troy/Birmingham and Pontiac.
Transit Riders United, a non-profit mass transit advocacy group, has been hosting informational meetings about the proposal this month. The fourth and final meeting is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Livonia Senior Center at Farmington and Five Mile roads.
For information, visit detroittransit.org or call (313) 963-8872.
Source: Carmine Palombo, director of transportation for Southeast Michigan Council of Governments
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