Detroit’s M-1 Rail project, previously covered by Roads & Bridges, has received its official monnicker: the QLine.
The name was given by Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans. The company has been a major financial contributor to the 3.3-mile modern streetcar line, which is slated to debut in 2017. It purchased naming rights, as well, for $5 million.
The name, along with several others, had already been trademarked last year, according to U.S. trademark records. Other trademarked names were Qlink and Quickline.
“In the upcoming year, QLine will begin moving riders up and down Woodward Avenue linking Detroit in a way we have not experienced in nearly 60 years,” said Jay Farner, President and Chief Marketing Officer of Quicken Loans, in a statement. “The launch of this modern streetcar marks a monumental moment in the development of Detroit in the 21st Century. Quicken Loans is proud to play our part in the beginning stages of modernizing the transit system in our burgeoning urban core.”
In addition to naming rights for the rail line, Quicken Loans is also one of 20 station sponsors along the route.
