New Michigan rail passenger line would boost downtown economies
Written by RT&S Staff
Maryland officials have rejected a proposal to build a new rail tunnel underneath the city of Baltimore.
Called a downtown-to-downtown connection, a new proposed passenger line in Michigan could do wonders to help central business districts.
That’s how supporters are pushing the Northern Michigan passenger rail project, which would connect Ann Arbor to Traverse City. Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities made a presentation before Michigan lawmakers on Feb. 22, and the project is starting to gain steam. The route was first included in the statewide rail plan in 2011, but most recently it was highlighted in the state’s long-range plan called the Michigan 2045 mobility plan.
The route would mostly use existing rail lines, but the rail would need to be upgraded to handle speeds between 60-80 mph. Initial estimates has the job costing $153 million, and if it were to become a high-speed route the price would move to $244 million. Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is working with the Michigan DOT, the Federal Transit Administration and others to try to help with funding.
The next step is to develop a service development plan, which is required by the Federal Railroad Administration.
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