Detroit People Mover closed through November for track replacements
The $4.9 million project is the third rail replacement in the People Mover’s 37-year history.
The Detroit People Mover operating during the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Detroit People Mover will pause operations for the next 11 weeks starting today, to allow for track replacements and other routine maintenance upgrades.
Over its 37 years in operation, the rail system has undergone regular maintenance based on federal best practices to maintain a “state of good repair.” About 20% of the rail track on the 2.9 mile, one-way loop will be replaced on nine curves and adjacent track as part of this latest round of upgrades, according to the Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC).
This is the third rail replacement in the Detroit People Mover’s history, with different curves and adjacent track replaced during similar projects in 2008 and 2016.
The latest $4.985 million project — funded by federal and state grants — is scheduled to be completed in November, before Thanksgiving. The DTC anticipates the life expectancy of the new rail sections to be at least 15-30 years.
Robert Cramer, general manager at DTC, says the agency will continue to reevaluate the system to determine the best ways to improve the People Mover, with plans to meet with “national experts” and hold ongoing community meetings and events for residents to share thoughts and concerns.
“Were going to be taking a look at everything from how the stations are named and what can we do to connect people at them, all the way up to, are there changes we can make to the actual footprint or station locations over the longer term,” he told WDET.
The People Mover averages around 113,000 trips per month, or 3,900 rides per day — depending on special events and weather conditions, according to the DTC.
Read more: Detroit People Mover gave 70,000 rides during NFL Draft
WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley contributed to this report.
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