Detroit People Mover to close for track replacements

The Detroit People Mover is scheduled to close after Labor Day through November to replace worn tracks.

The big picture: The 11-week project is part of regular maintenance on the 37-year-old transit system, which is free to ride through the rest of the year when it's open.

• This marks only the third rail replacement in the 2.9-mile elevated loop's history.

Between the lines: Nine curved sections of rail, and straight connecting track, are due for "proactive replacement" to maintain "safe, reliable operation," the People Mover's website says.

• It totals 7,000 feet, or 20% of the overall track, at a cost of nearly $5 million using federal and state funding. It's the first time those sections have been replaced.

How it works: "Significant time and effort are needed to stage both the equipment and rail sections at each curve," a project summary on the website says.

• Workers will use a street-mounted crane to cut and take out the old rail. Then they'll bring in new track and weld it.
• Welding requires complex, precise work, followed by measuring and testing to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Flashback: Other improvements to the monorail system in the last two years have included replacing its camera system, installing the ability to play recorded messages, adding digital info screens, installing interactive kiosks and adding customizable accent lighting along two sections.