By Dave Herndon, Press & Guide; August 26, 2019
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced on Aug. 21 a federal State of Good Repair Program grant award for more than $23 million to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
The federal grant will be used by MDOT to improve rail, crossties, and track surfaces between Battle Creek and Dearborn on the Michigan-owned segment of the Chicago-to-Detroit/Pontiac corridor. These improvements include replacing approximately 80,000 railroad ties east of Battle Creek and 15 track miles of rail east of Jackson. The project will help lead to improved rail safety and increased passenger train speeds for the Amtrak Midwest Wolverine Service, which carries nearly 500,000 annual passengers.