Amtrak and Michigan DOT wrap up this year’s construction season

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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Amtrak/File photo

Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) have completed construction for the season for Wolverine Service trains, with more work scheduled in the New Year.

 

The completed work adds to improvements of state-owned railroad infrastructure as part of Michigan’s Accelerated Rail Program, representatives say, adding that the construction should allow for improved reliability for passengers, as well as expanding the Midwest’s first 110 mph Amtrak service.

Michigan’s Accelerated Rail Program is described as an important part of Michigan’s Intercity Passenger Rail services, which representatives say aims to improve the federally designated Chicago Hub (Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac) High Speed Rail Corridor. The enhancements also allow for passenger speeds up to 110-mph between Porter, Ind., and Kalamazoo, Mich. 

MDOT contractors, including Amtrak, completed the construction season after working on 41 miles of track. The project scope entailed replacing 26,000 crossties, repairing or installing 15 track switches, realigning or modifying 29 railroad curves, repairing 23 grade crossings and improving road profiles at crossings.

Amtrak also continued work on its signal system that controls rail traffic for the MDOT rail segment east of Kalamazoo.

Customers can now resume booking their travel as usual with three complete round-trips daily and additional service around the Thanksgiving holiday, representatives noted.

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