Detroit: M-1 Rail Construction Shifts to Campus Martius

[marmar]

(Crain's Detroit) Starting Monday, crews will begin installing a curved track around Campus Martius in downtown Detroit as part of the $140 million M-1 Rail project.

The 2015 construction schedule, expected to be the busiest so far, will also include rebuilding parts of Woodward Avenue and freeway overpasses around downtown, M-1 Rail Chief Operating Officer Paul Childs said Thursday. The rail line, which will extend 3.3 miles from Detroit's riverfront to the New Center area, is scheduled to begin running next year.

In a media briefing Thursday, M-1 officials outlined expectations for this year, including the Michigan Department of Transportation’s rebuilds of Woodward Avenue and the I-94 and I-75 Woodward Avenue overpasses, the Penske Tech Center and track construction.

A phased construction process on lower Woodward Avenue —between Gratiot Avenue and Larned Street —is to begin Monday. It will not prevent use of Campus Martius, officials said. As the custom specialty track is installed, one lane will remain open around Campus Martius Park at all times, and at least one of the four streets surrounding the park (Michigan Avenue, Fort Street, Cadillac Square and Monroe Avenue) will remain open. ........................(more)

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150417/NEWS/150419864/m-1-rail-construction-begins-at-campus-martius-on-monday