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Michigan DOT wins grant to upgrade passenger-rail corridor

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 10/27/2020 Rail News: Passenger Rail
image The upgrades are part of an effort to implement higher train speeds and more efficient travel between Chicago and Detroit.Photo – amtrak.com

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) late last week announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $15.6 million "State of Good Repair" grant to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to improve rail infrastructure between Ypsilanti and Jackson.

The project calls for replacing 80,000 feet of rail, rehabilitating 42 horizontal curves, and improving safety at 16 public and eight private grade crossings on the state-owned rail corridor.

The federal funds will support a project that helps to establish intercity passenger rail in the region, Dingell and MDOT officials said in a press release.

"The grant will help our efforts to improve 42 rail curves on Amtrak's Wolverine corridor, making the route safer for passengers," said MDOT Director Paul Ajegba. "We are appreciative of Rep. Dingell's efforts as we work to implement higher speeds and more efficient travel between Chicago and Detroit."

Outside of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, the state of Michigan supports the only American rail corridor that currently offers passenger train speeds of 110 mph. The grant will assist with completing 136 miles to serve trains operating up to 110 mph.

The State of Good Repair program distributes funds to state and local governments in urban areas for repairs and upgrades of rail and bus rapid transit systems that are at least seven years old.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

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