Ann Arbor – Detroit Regional Rail Project

December 2010 Update

Environment
Federal Highway Administration has received a notice of intent from the project team (MDOT/SEMCOG) to proceed with completion of an environmental assessment. Public meetings will be held in early 2011 to receive public input.

Funding
The Michigan Department of Transportation was awarded Round Two ARRA funding totaling $160 million. From that funding, $150 million will purchase the rail line between Kalamazoo and Dearborn; because that line will now be state-owned, we won’t have to negotiate for access rights. Also, $7 million will be used for the west Detroit connection track project that will result in reduced travel time and a more efficient line. The remaining $3 million will be used for additional planning and engineering. These high-speed rail investments will result in a direct benefit to the proposed commuter rail service and reduce the funding necessary to implement passenger service.

Rail Cars
The refurbishment of the rail cars continues. Federal Railroad Administration is providing guidance regarding safety compliance.

Close Clearance Inspections
The Michigan Department of Transportation Rail Safety team along with SEMCOG, the City of Ypsilanti, representatives of Wayne County, and officials from Norfolk Southern railroad met at each proposed station site in the corridor to determine that all safety requirements will be met with regard to construction of boarding platforms and other station amenities.