Michigan Wins in Second Round of Rail Funding

News reports late Monday afternoon revealed that Michigan is coming out on top in the second round of high-speed rail grant funding coming out of Washington, to the tune of about $160 million.  Ahead of the official announcement expected later this week from the U.S. Department of Transportation, members of Michigan's Congressional delegation issued press releases announcing that Michigan has been awarded key grants for investment in the Detroit to Chicago "Wolverine" rail line.  The federal government announced the availability of nearly $2.5 billion of additional high-speed rail grants earlier this summer.  Following our relatively disappointing showing in the February high-speed rail grant awards, this second round announcement is welcome news, especially considering the active role that the League and a number of Michigan communities played in issuing letters and council resolutions in support of the state's grant application.

The western part of the Detroit-Chicago route, in Michigan, is currently the only higher speed rail operating in the Midwest...allowing speeds of close to 100 miles per hour from Kalamazoo west to the Indiana border.  This new  federal funding will allow the state to make investments in the line east of Kalamazoo that will enable trains to run at these higher speeds along virtually the whole route.  This is a critical investment for Michigan and the communities along that route, both from an infrastructure standpoint, but also from a tourism and economic development standpoint. 

One key component of this round of grants is the requirement that the state provide a 20% match for the federal funds.  The League has been a leader in working with the Michigan Department of Transportation and members of the Michigan House and Senate to promote a bill to provide that funding.  Legislation was introduced last month, with bipartisan support, in the Michigan House to provide for the sale of capital outlay bonds for rail infrastructure investments.  The proceeds of these bonds would be used to provide the state's match and to support other local rail initiatives that are currently underway in Michigan.  With the announcement of these grants, the League will be working closely with leaders in the House and Senate to promote quick action on House Bill 6484 so that Michigan is prepared to receive the federal money as soon as it is available.

Chris Hackbarth handles transportation issues for the Michigan Municipal League.  Chris can be reached at 517-908-0303, or by email at chackbarth@mml.org.