FTA OKs Detroit LRT plans

The Federal Transit Administration on Thursday gave the go-ahead to Detroit to proceed with its plans for light rail transit in the Motor City.

FTA posted its Record of Decision supporting the city’s assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed LRT, to run from downtown Detroit to Eight Mile Road.

Detroit still needs to secure up to $300 million in federal funding support for the proposed $550 million project, to be funded in part by private-sector partners. Detroit Mayor Dave continues to meet with members of M-1 Rail, a group of area civic, business, and philanthropic interests that has pledged about $100 million in seed money for the project, to iron out disagreements about the city’s plans for the rail line.

But area rail advocates said the FTA decision shows Detroit’s plan is feasible. "I would say it’s moving us from an 80% likelihood to a 90% likelihood that this is going to happen," said Megan Owens, executive director of Transit Riders United, a Detroit-based advocacy group.