Detroit light rail project back on track

Snyder, Bing say light rail will be part of regional transit project

DETROIT – United States Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood, Gov. Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing met Friday to discuss a million-dollar mass transit project.

In December, city leaders agreed to shelf the proposed Woodward Avenue light rail project and instead use government funding for a high-speed bus system.

However, on Friday, leaders announced the light rail prject will be merged with the regional transportation bus system project.

Supporters of the rail system had a chance to rally behind the project and argue in its favor. State and city leaders listened.

"Based on the conversations that we had today and the agreements that we've had, we see light rail as a part of regional transportation. So, light rail is not dead. It's back on the table, but it's part of our BRT system," said Bing.

Gov. Snyder stressed mass tansportation's importance to Metro Detroit.

"Transit is important to our region and to our state," Snyder said. "It's about working well together, and that's what this meeting was about today. It was an opportunity to talk about how we need a regional transportation authority that includes a rapid bus system and is part of that and can be an important sub component."

State legislature and suburban leaders must sign off on the deal before it is final.