Press Releases
Dingell Announced $15.5 Million to Improve Rail Infrastructure Between Ypsilanti and Jackson
Ypsilanti, MI,
October 23, 2020
YPSILANTI, MI – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) announced the US Department of Transportation is awarding $15,570,327 to the Michigan Department of Transportation to improve rail infrastructure including replace 80,000 feet of rail, rehab 42 horizontal curves, and make safety enhancements at 16 public and 8 private at-grade crossings on state-owned rail corridor between Ypsilanti and Jackson, MI “The future of mobility includes a strong rail network. This major grant will help make needed enhancements and safety improvements to an important stretch of railroad infrastructure between Ypsilanti and Jackson,” said Dingell. “This critical support lays the track to establish intercity passenger trains in the region that provides safe, dependable, and accessible services. By working together at the federal, state, and local level we can make smart investments and build a better future for railroad transit in Michigan.” “This 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 C. Ajegba. “We are appreciative of Rep. Dingell’s efforts as we work to implement higher speeds and more efficient travel between Chicago and Detroit.” The grant comes from the Federal Railroad Administration’s State of Good Repair program, which are distributed to state and local governments in urbanized areas for repairs and upgrading of rail and bus rapid transit systems that are at least seven years old. Outside of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (Boston to Washington, DC), the State of Michigan supports the only American rail corridor currently offering passenger train speeds of 110 MPH. This grant will assist with completing 136 miles of track to serve up to 110 MPH. ### This press release has been updated. |