The M-1 Rail, the streetcar line under construction that will run along Woodward Avenue in Detroit, has officially been named the QLINE.
“In the upcoming year, QLINE (pronounced Q-Line) will begin moving riders up and down Woodward Avenue linking Detroit in a way we have not experienced in nearly 60 years,” says Jay Farner, president and chief marketing officer at Detroit-based Quicken Loans, who bought the naming rights for the rail nearly a year ago. “The launch of this modern streetcar marks a monumental moment in the development of Detroit in the 21st century.”
In addition to purchasing naming rights for the rail line, Quicken Loans is also sponsoring one of the 20 stations along the route.
Construction on the 6.6-mile streetcar line began in 2014, and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The first streetcar is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of this year when testing and safety certification will begin. Each car will travel up to 35 miles per hour.
“Quality, accessible mass transit is essential to thriving cities and QLINE will help Detroit become an increasingly more vibrant destination for everyone,” says Matt Cullen, CEO of the M-1 Rail, the non-profit organization formed in 2007 to lead the design, construction, and future operation of the streetcar.
