One small step for Metro Detroit... is the one just taken by the commuter rail project connecting Detroit, Ann Arbor and Metro Airport.
Officials from the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and the myriad of train companies that control the track are now meeting to discuss the recently completed infrastructure capacity and fare-box studies.
Finishing these studies brings the project closer to concluding the second stage of a largely three-step assessment. The last step (what it costs) is still yet to be determined.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, which is spearheading the project, is negotiating logistics and improvements with the railroads that control the tracks and Amtrak for providing the trains. Organizers behind the proposal are looking at picking stops, arranging a shuttle service between the Metro Airport stop at Merriman Road and the airport's terminals and making sure delays are kept to a bare minimum.
SEMCOG hopes to establish service by late 2009 or early 2010.
The commuter rail 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, Ferndale, Troy/Birmingham and Pontiac.
Source: Carmine Palombo, director of transportation for SEMCOG
Writer: Jon Zemke
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