Troy Transit Center Opens
(Crystal A. Proxmire, photos by Megan Owens of Transportation Riders United, Oct. 14, 2014)
Tucked away behind a shopping center at Coolidge and Maple Roads, Troy’s new Transit Center is now open.
The $6.3 million facility took 14 years to complete due to legal issues over property ownership between the City of Troy and the previous owner. Two months ago the matter was settled in Oakland County Circuit Court, where the City of Troy acquired ownership, but had to pay the company Grand Sakwa $1.05 million.
Finally settled, the station provides ample short and long term parking and access to Amtrack’s Wolverine line which runs from Pontiac to Chicago, and includes stops in Detroit, Troy, Royal Oak and several other Michigan cities along the way.
Over 200 people came to a ribbon cutting Tuesday, including Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Congressman Gary Peters and State Senator John Pappageorge.
Other improvements in passenger rail service are in the works. An open house at the Dearborn station on Oct. 28 will outline many potential improvements and provide opportunity for public comment. More information on that can be found at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/10/05/public-comment-on-passenger-rail-program-from-pontiac-to-chicago-hearing-oct-28/.