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Yesterday, the city of Detroit announced it reached an agreement with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the planned Woodward light-rail project.

The FEIS is the latest step in a process that will result in the entering of a final record of decision by the FTA on Sept. 1, said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing in a prepared statement. In turn, the record of decision will enable the city to use a $25 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant that the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded to Detroit in August 2010, he said.

The $500 million project calls for building a 9.3-mile, 19-station line.

“This is a landmark moment in Detroit's journey to make light rail a reality in our city,” said Bing. “With the support of FTA staff, we have reached this target faster than many believed was possible.”
 
The federal government will provide more than $300 million for the project, while $100 million has been pledged by a consortium of private investors and bonds will be issued totaling $75 million, according to the city.