Detroit’s Woodward LRT project route finalized, FEIS signed

The Federal Transit Administration and City of Detroit have co-signed a final environmental impact statement for Detroit's Woodward Light Rail project. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing said the signing of the FEIS is the latest step in a process that will result in the entering of a final Record of Decision by the FTA on September 1. It will clear the way for the city to use the $25 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said was being awarded to the city during his visit last August. The ROD will lay out the guidelines for expenditures of more than $300 million in federal funds the city will apply for through the federal New Starts process. The city council has approved the issuance of $75 million in bonds to provide a portion of the local match. A group of business and civic leaders has pledged an additional $100 million in funding. An additional $12.5 million in federal and state grants bring the project investment to more than $500 million. The FEIS lays out a route for the project on Woodward stretching from the heart of Downtown Detroit to Eight Mile Rd., with 19 passenger stations. To view the detailed criteria of the FEIS process, visit the City of Detroit's website.