![]() "Increased service would open up new business and employment opportunities in addition to increased access to Metro Airport and entertainment venues," Irwin said. Irwin said SB 237's passage is especially important for Ann Arbor, which has high hopes of seeing high-speed passenger rail service tied in with Fuller Road Station. "There are some time-sensitive items affected by the bill, so I don't anticipate any problems with it getting done," he said. Under a separate section titled "High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail," the analysis notes the bill authorizes spending nearly $200 million more in federal grants, including another $196.5 million related to rehabilitation of the track between Kalamazoo and Dearborn, and $701,600 related to construction of a new train station on Fuller Road in Ann Arbor.Īri Adler, a spokesman for House Speaker Jase Bolger, said he expects SB 237 to move on the House floor Wednesday or Thursday. Under a section titled "Rail Passenger Service," the analysis notes the bill increases spending authority to allow the use of federal funds toward the $187.5 million purchase and rehabilitation of 135.7 miles of track owned by Norfolk Southern between Kalamazoo and Dearborn.Īnother $800,000 is related to development of a "corridor investment plan" in cooperation with Illinois and Indiana, $9.4 million is going to the West Detroit Connection Track and Bridge project, and $412,000 is related to construction of a new Amtrak station in Grand Rapids. The analysis shows a total of $358.9 million in federal funds coming to the state of Michigan, supported by $1.5 million in local matching dollars, as well as another $19 million from private sources and $18.8 million from state transportation funds. The House Fiscal Agency on Monday released an analysis of SB 237, which takes advantage of two high-speed rail grants from the federal government. "The supplemental appropriation is the Legislature giving us the authority to spend the federal money from the grants that were awarded back a few months ago and providing for the state and private match for it," Tim Hoeffner, administrator of the state's rail office, told on Monday. Rail proponents expect the high-speed rail program in Michigan will go forward now, and say the state's control of the east-west track bodes well for plans to enhance passenger rail services. ![]() That came on Thursday when the Senate voted 30-6 in favor of Senate Bill 237. The state Senate's approval of the spending plan was seen as one of the last major hurdles to upgrading the tracks between Detroit and Chicago to 110 mph - from 60 mph. "Hopefully the bill will be on the House floor soon and we'll take action on this opportunity to secure a big investment in Michigan's economic development." Jeff Irwin"I applaud the Senate's leadership on this issue and I'm thankful that our governor has been making supportive signals on rail," Irwin said.
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