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City Council Approves Detroit Light Rail Project

(Detroit-WWJ) It's been talked about and dreamed about for years; now, a light rail system for Detroit appears on the verge of reality.

City Council Monday voted to approve the sale of 125 million dollars in bonds to finance the first leg of a light rail system projected to eventually go from downtown north to Eight Mile Road.

A $25 million federal transit grant was approved. Private investors have pledged another 100 million dollars.

Work is expected to get underway next year on the first phase, a 3.4 mile link from downtown to the New Center. The entire 12-station line is projected to be up and running in 2015.

Plans call for eventually connecting with another section stretching from New Center to Eight Mile. The total cost of the project is estimated at about $530 million.

"Detroit is a world-class city, and we should not be without rapid transit," said City Council President Charles Pugh. "This is exciting. It's a big day for the city."

(Copyright 2011 WWJ Newsradio 950. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press Contributed To This Story.)

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