New Detroit Transit Hub to Reconnect Region, Boost Innovation by 2028

A $40 million transit center will rise at Michigan Central in Detroit's Corktown. The site will bring back trains and add a bus terminal by 2028, as per CBS News.

Officials struck a deal on October 15. The state's transportation department joined with Detroit and Michigan Central to study and plan the new hub. Trains will run from Detroit Metro Airport to Ann Arbor's tech zone. The tracks will stretch from Chicago through Detroit to Windsor and Toronto.

"Downtown Detroit is open for business and on the move as one of the best places to live, work, and pioneer cutting-edge ideas," Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in announcing the project, as reported by CBS News.

The site is located west of the old train station on Ford's land. Before work starts, studies must wrap up. Teams need to finish checks and reviews by October 2026.

Beth Kmetz-Armitage, who runs growth at Michigan Central, says 66,000 people will ride trains yearly. The spot will also welcome buses from Greyhound, Indian Trails, and SMART, as shared by Bridge Detroit.

Federal grants pitched in $10 million. State funds added $30 million more. After plans get the green light, crews will build until Dec. 31, 2028.

"For decades, Michigan Central Station was the gateway to Detroit, and we are excited to begin the work of re-establishing train service at a new multi-modal transit facility in the shadow of the station," said Sam Krassenstein, Chief of Infrastructure for Detroit, as shared by Bridge Detroit.

This hub takes over for two old spots - the Howard Street bus stop and the New Center train station. Both spots show their age and lack what today's riders want.

Trips to Canada mean border stops in Windsor. The river tunnel now moves freight trains, but workers will fix it up for people too.

Canadian officials still need to say yes. More news about designs, money, and building times will come next year as plans take shape.