Hypothetical Light Rail Maps

[Allan]

Apparently there are actually people out there who are dreaming up that new light rail system of ours.

Light Rail Mass Transit for Michigan

[Mojo]

There are some things about this system that I actually like better than the proposed systems on the SEMCOG website.

[Neo]

That's a pretty sweet map!!

[MathNerd05]

But will it actually happen?

[Allan]

But will it actually happen? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's a nice thought at least. The only two lines I can see being built in the somewhat near future (10-20 years) are the Woodward line (Orange) south of 8 Mile, and the Michigan line (blue). The blue line would probably be constructed along I-94 instead of Michigan, as I-94 and Michigan run parallel to each other. Apparently an impact study is in the process of being submitted.

http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-IMPACT/200...y-01/i22144.htm

http://www.annarbordetroitrapidtransitstudy.com/

Currently the 2030 transportation plan calls for more roads, more roads, and more roads. It plans to encourage sprawl and further death of the urban core by building pointless roads and expanding other roads out on the fringes of the metro. It seems like SEMCOG wants Detroit to continue loosing people. I guess that's what happens when you have a regional organization that is unfairly dominated by suburbanites. When will these people wake up and discover that planning methods used 50 years ago nolonger work?

SEMCOG 2030 Transportation Plan

[samsonyuen]

Great map. Hopefull Metro Detroit can get some good public transit.

[Allan]

I do think that 16 Mile/Big Beaver Road/Metropolitan Parkway can use a line too. These maps lack one right now. The blue line should go all the way to Ann Arbor too. Along both I-94 and the M-14 freeway there is solid development almost the entire way. It's really difficult to say exactly where Ann Arbor ends and metro Detroit begins.

[SNWEB]

I do think that 16 Mile/Big Beaver Road/Metropolitan Parkway can use a line too.  These maps lack one right now.  The blue line should go all the way to Ann Arbor too.  Along both I-94 and the M-14 freeway there is solid development almost the entire way.  It's really difficult to say exactly where Ann Arbor ends and metro Detroit begins.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

At washtenaw county border?

[Allan]

At washtenaw county border?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not talking about political boundaries, I'm talking about the amount of development. Wayne county's development has really started to spill over into Washtenaw county. It is now almost solid development all the way to AA.