For years, Detroiters passing through Corktown have watched the steady rebirth of Michigan Central Station, the same building that once symbolized decline now pulsing with possibility again. The next chapter in that revival could bring something the city hasn’t seen in decades: trains pulling into the station once more.
State and local officials announced plans Wednesday for a new $40 million multimodal transit hub on the Michigan Central campus that would reconnect Detroit to Windsor, Toronto, and Chicago by 2029. The announcement, made during the Downtown Detroit Partnership’s Fall Forum, confirmed that the Michigan Department of Transportation, the City of Detroit, and Michigan Central have entered a memorandum of understanding to move the project forward.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the hub represents more than infrastructure — it’s a statement about regional unity and shared progress. “At a time when the world is rife with division, this hub — just like the Gordie Howe Bridge — will be a symbol of the good that comes when we work together,” Whitmer said.
The partnership aims to restore rail service through Michigan Central for the first time since Amtrak trains left the depot in 1988. Early projections estimate the new line could serve more than 66,000 passengers annually, linking universities, businesses, and neighborhoods across the Great Lakes corridor.
Amtrak and MDOT officials said the plan uses existing tracks and tunnels to bridge a nine-mile gap between Detroit and Windsor. The system would begin with a single daily round-trip route between the two countries, with potential to expand service as demand grows.
“This really brings significant service improvement for minimal capital investment,” said Arun Rao, senior director of network development for Amtrak. “We’re leveraging two well-established services on either side of the network — essentially bridging a nine-mile gap.”
Environmental consultations and engineering studies are scheduled for 2026, with service potentially launching by 2028 or 2029 depending on funding. Plans call for a new terminal on one to two acres within the Michigan Central Innovation District. The space would feature a shared lobby for train and bus passengers, limited retail, and a parking structure.
The project also proposes relocating regional bus lines — including Greyhound, Indian Trails, and Baron’s Bus — from the aging Howard Street Station to the new facility, further centralizing Detroit’s transit access in the city’s west downtown area.
Officials say the hub will complement, not replace, Amtrak’s existing New Center station. At launch, the Michigan Central site will handle primarily cross-border routes to Windsor and Toronto, but the long-term vision extends beyond the Detroit-Windsor line — creating a modern network that strengthens mobility across the region.
“This project connects jobs, talent, and opportunity on both sides of the border,” said MDOT leaders. “It ties Detroit’s growing innovation economy to a global movement of collaboration and development.”
The Michigan Central campus, restored by Ford Motor Company as a hub for mobility and technology, has become a symbol of Detroit’s resurgence. The return of passenger rail service, decades after trains stopped running, reinforces the city’s comeback story with a focus on equitable growth and regional connectivity.
Urban planners and economic developers see the investment as a chance to expand transit access for Detroiters while creating new opportunities for business and tourism. Officials estimate the project could help attract new employers, support construction and hospitality jobs, and strengthen academic partnerships among more than 30 universities in the region.
As Detroit continues to reimagine mobility from autonomous shuttles to EV manufacturing, the vision of trains once again rolling into Michigan Central adds another layer to the city’s transformation. For many longtime residents, it shines a light on the restoration of connection — across borders, across industries, and across generations.
