Construction of a multimodal transportation hub is planned in Corktown, Detroit’s oldest neighborhood. A memorandum of understanding released in October outlined the plan for the city, the Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan Central— a technology hub anchored by a former train station—to build the $40 million transit center.
“Today’s memo of understanding lays the foundation for a new multimodal transportation hub that will grow our regional economy, make downtown Detroit more vibrant, and connect residents and visitors to our communities,” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement.
The hub would serve intercity buses and a proposed extension of an Amtrak route from Chicago to Canada. Cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Dallas and New York City are planning or have renovated intercity bus stations, according to smartcitiesdive. com. Multimodal stations serve passenger rail and intercity buses, and facilitate connections among the transportation systems.
“For years, Michigan Central Station was the gateway to Detroit, and we are excited to begin the work of re-establishing train service at a new multimodal transit facility in the shadow of the station,” said Sam Krassenstein, chief of infrastructure for the city of Detroit, in a statement. “Detroiters deserve a first-class facility for bus and train service, and this agreement puts us on a path to make it happen.”