QLine officials announced Thursday that the long-anticipated Woodward light rail extension will not open until 2029, pushing back the timeline by at least 18 months from previous estimates. The delay, attributed to ongoing permitting challenges and rising construction costs, is expected to add roughly $1.2 billion to the project's already ballooning budget.
The extension, which will connect Woodward to downtown Troy via a new tunnel beneath Woodward Avenue, has faced a series of setbacks since voters approved the regional transit package in 2016. "We understand the frustration," said QLine director Julie Timm at a board meeting Thursday afternoon. "But we are committed to delivering a system that meets the safety and engineering standards our riders deserve." Community groups in Woodward and Midtown expressed disappointment, with several noting that construction disruptions along Woodward Avenue have already impacted local businesses for more than two years.
The revised timeline also affects connecting service to the planned West Detroit extension, which was originally slated to open in tandem with the Woodward line. QLine board member Maria Balducci said the agency is exploring options to accelerate certain segments of the project but cautioned that significant schedule recovery is unlikely. Oakland County Executive Dow Constantine called the delay "deeply frustrating" but urged continued public support for the regional transit system. Federal funding for the project remains contingent on meeting revised milestone targets set by the Federal Transit Administration.