Concerns are mounting that a hoped for light rail line along Woodward Avenue in Detroit is in Trouble, but U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, visiting Dearborn on Monday, said the federal government is all in on the project.
LaHood announced $48 million in transit projects for Michigan as part of $930 million nationally, with the biggest projects involving bus replacement for a variety of transit agencies.
But LaHood made a point of saying the federal government is committed to the light rail project. There has been some tension between the administration of Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and the business executives who have supported building a light rail line over how to design the system.
“It will help make Detroit a more model, livable community,” he said.
Additionally, LaHood praised Governor Rick Snyder’s support of rail transportation.
“Governor Snyder is a Republican governor,” he said. “And it helps me mitigate against the argument that people try and make that Republicans are against high-speed rail. You all have a governor that wants to get things done.”
Source: MITECHNEWS / Gongwer News Service