Michigan Announces Major Progress on Detroit-to-Chicago Route

USDOT Grant for $196 Million Will Reduce Michigan Rail Travel Times

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded a $196.5 million grant to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for track and signal improvements between Detroit and Kalamazoo. MDOT also announced a related agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway (NSR) to purchase the 135-mile segment between Kalamazoo and Dearborn.

These improvements will allow for speeds up to 110 mph on 77% of Amtrak’s Wolverine and Blue Water services between Detroit and Chicago, resulting in a 30 minute reduction in travel time between those destinations.

“This is an important investment that will reduce travel time, improve reliability and on-time performance, and attract more passengers,” said Secretary LaHood.

The funding for this 135-mile segment between Detroit and Kalamazoo will support preliminary engineering, final design and construction. The project includes new, continuously welded rail and ties, fiber optic lines and infrastructure to support a positive train control system, rebuilding 180 highway-rail grade crossings, and gates and flashers at 65 private highway-rail grade crossings.

Construction is expected to begin late Spring 2012.

"Investing in rail service will spark economic development in communities along a corridor linking Detroit and Chicago, two vital Midwest cities," said Governor Rick Snyder. "A faster, reliable passenger rail system is a priority for younger generations and vital to Michigan's ability to compete globally as businesses look to locate or expand."

“The obligation of Michigan’s rail funding is a critical step forward for high-speed rail service from Detroit to Chicago,” added Congressman John Dingell. “As a co-author of legislation that created one of the first high-speed rail assistance programs in the country, I believe rail is essential to maintaining and improving the economic competitiveness of the United States. The development of rail and transit creates immediate and needed construction jobs, retains and recruits local businesses, and reduces our Nation’s dependence on foreign oil.”

Michigan Reaches Agreement with Norfolk Southern on Track Purchase

MDOT also announced a related agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway (NSR) to purchase the 135-mile segment between Kalamazoo and Dearborn. This purchase will support the implementation of 110 mph service along the corridor.

The $140 million purchase was made using Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant funds, which includes an "affordable state match", according to MDOT.

MDOT ownership of the Kalamazoo-Dearborn segment, combined with Amtrak ownership between Kalamazoo-Porter, Ind., will ensure that nearly 80 percent of the Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Accelerated Rail Corridor will be in passenger-friendly ownership, giving greater control over the services.

NSR will retain an exclusive freight easement to preserve and grow its freight business. In addition, MDOT agreed to build a double track on the busiest freight segment of the line east of Ypsilanti to ensure adequate capacity for both freight and passenger operations. The new track will benefit the production operations of Ford Motor Company and other Michigan businesses.

"We believe this investment in intercity passenger rail will reduce travel times, improve service reliability and allow for future increases in services, which will increase ridership and revenue," said Timothy Hoeffner, administrator, MDOT Office of Rail. "It will set the stage for additional passenger rail service after the completion of the accelerated rail project. And, because NSR retains the freight business, Michigan has a nationally recognized Class 1 operator willing to grow and enhance freight business, which is critical to Michigan's economic growth."