Senator Stabenow Participates in M-1 RAIL Community Celebration, Highlights New Federal Support for Rail Project

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today participated in a community celebration to highlight additional federal support for the M-1 RAIL project. Sen. Stabenow and Southeast Michigan's Congressional Delegation helped secure $12.2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which will allow the transit project to be finalized by the end of 2016. In 2013, Sen. Stabenow and her colleagues also helped secure a $25 million federal grant to invest in M-1 RAIL and have worked closely with business and community leaders, philanthropic partners, Wayne State University and others on the project.

"Today's groundbreaking celebration is an exciting milestone for the M-1 RAIL project," said Stabenow. "Once up and running, the new project will help attract new businesses and investment to Detroit and create thousands of new jobs, providing a major economic boost to Southeast Michigan. Congratulations to all of the community partners for bringing M-1 RAIL one step closer to completion."

M-1 RAIL is a public-private partnership to build a 3.3-mile streetcar line that will run along the Woodward corridor from downtown to the New Center area of Detroit, boosting economic development in Southeast Michigan and creating thousands of jobs. Construction of the M-1 RAIL began in July and will include 11 stations providing links among key destinations along Woodward Avenue.