Michigan Rail Package Signed Into Law
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Michigan.gov
LANSING, Mich. - A rail grade separation bill package was signed into law that would allow for the creation of a grant program for crossing projects.
Michigan Radio has reported several rail grade separation bills have been signed into law. A bill package, co-sponsored by State Senator Darrin Camilleri, was signed into law and “would create a new grant program within the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to provide money for those projects.” Because of traffic delays caused by freight trains at crossings, Darrin Camilleri stated that “emergency services have a difficult time getting to dangerous situations.”
In terms of local, state, and federal funding, the grant program would not cover project costs completely, and in order to receive any funding, “grant recipients would have to detail to MDOT how they plan to match at least 20% of the project’s cost.”
Last month, state lawmakers approved a budget plan that “puts $10 million toward ‘highest priority’ rail grade separation” and “$20 million toward a specific project in Trenton.” Projects that would get priority include those “closer to areas like schools, manufacturing facilities, and trauma treatment centers.” There are also a high number of crossings in communities “downriver from Detroit.”
