Built as part of a project to revitalize Washington Boulevard, the 0.75-mile (1.21 km) line initially connected Grand Circus Park at the north and Cobo Center near the Detroit Riverfront.

Five blocks of Washington Boulevard were reconstructed as a pedestrian mall hosting the streetcar, with a passing track located at State Street.

Near Congress Street, the line swapped to the west side of Washington Boulevard until terminating at Jefferson Avenue outside the Cobo Center.

Opening celebrations hosted by city leaders and auto executives were held at the north end of the line during the afternoon of September 20, 1976.

In 1980 the line was extended 0.25 miles (0.40 km) east along Jefferson Avenue paralleling Hart Plaza to the Renaissance Center at Randolph street, adjacent to Mariners' Church and the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel.

[8] In September 2001 the southern terminal was shortened to Woodward Avenue to accommodate a dedicated right-turn lane for the tunnel to Canada.