Category Archives: News

News

Troy transit center lands another $250K in funds

From The Detroit News
Troy — The Troy/Birmingham Multi-modal Transit Center is expected to receive an extra $250,000 in funding from the American Recovery Reinvestment Act, officials announced Monday.

About $1.3 million already was secured last month in a congressional vote. Groundbreaking on the regional transit center, which will cost about $7 million and be located near Coolidge and Maple, could take place this spring or summer, officials said.

It will serve as a hub for public transportation, using existing Amtrak rail infrastructure along the Wolverine Corridor while providing a transfer point to SMART bus services, taxi and sedan connections consistent with the Detroit Regional Mass Transit Plan. It will also create more transportation opportunities for patrons of the Oakland/Troy Airport.

“This is more great news for an important, job-creating local project,” Congressman Gary Peters said in a statement. “These are precisely the sort of targeted investments we need to get Oakland County’s economy back on track. New jobs will be created during the construction of this new regional transit center, and the center will spur business growth and development once it is up and running.”

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100125/METRO05/1250431/1361/Troy-transit-center-lands-another-$250K-in-funds#ixzz0dhaAg2XS

News

Bay City to Detroit high speed bus route studied

From The Flint Journal

FLINT — The Mass Transportation Authority wants know whether commuters from as far north as Bay City would support a high-speed bus service to Detroit, a potential first step toward establishing a light rail route through Flint in the future.

A Genesee County committee has approved plans to study establishing a “bus rapid transit” system along I-75, including the possibility of a dedicated lane of traffic, more comfortable coaches and new stations for commuters to catch their rides from.
An MTA official said the idea may never become reality or could be 10-25 years away, but said it’s worth pursuing because of continuing demand from workers trying to get to jobs that are outside Genesee County.
The idea is of interest to officials at the Saginaw Transit Authority, said General Manager Sylvester Payne, especially if the price of gasoline drives more workers out of their cars and into public transportation in the future.
News

Lawmakers still skeptical of Detroit-Lansing rail proposal

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From the Lansing State Journal

State lawmakers have switched on a flashing caution light for a proposed high-speed rail line between Detroit and Lansing.

Project investors must disclose financing details before the state can get on board, members of a legislative task force said Tuesday. But although questions remain about the financing and the viability of the project, members recommended further study of it.

In June, Michigan-based Interstate Traveler Co. LLC, or ITC, renewed its proposal for the high-tech system as part of a public-private partnership. It would use public rights of way along Interstate 96 and other highways but no taxpayer money.

The rail would run off solar-powered hydrogen and use magnetic levitation technology to propel rail cars about 200 miles per hour. It would cost $10 million a mile to build.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100120/NEWS04/1200311/1005/NEWS04

News

Michigan transit projects expected to get more funding

From the Detroit Free Press

Chances rose today for an infusion of federal money for transit projects in Michigan after the Obama administration signaled a change in how it will fund major public transportation initiatives.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said new transit funding guidelines will place a greater emphasis on “livability issues,” including whether projects provide economic development and environmental benefits. LaHood said the projects’ costs and the commuting time they save will still be considered, but those two factors will no longer be the primary criteria, a restriction enacted under former President George Bush.

“I’ll make sure those investments in manufacturing help our most distressed communities in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere,” LaHood said in remarks prepared for a luncheon during the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Additional federal funding could boost efforts to build a light rail along Woodward in Detroit and a high-speed rail between Detroit and Chicago.

http://www.freep.com/article/201001131705/NEWS06/100113068

News

Infrastructure upgrades, PTC and new rolling stock on Amtrak’s 2010 agenda

From Progressive Railroading Daily News

With major projects and new initiatives on tap to rebuild infrastructure, increase service and revitalize the nation’s intercity passenger railroad, Amtrak is anticipating “an exciting 2010,” President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Boardman said yesterday during a media conference call.

This year, Amtrak plans to undertake major track and bridge construction projects, replace and expand its locomotive and passenger-car fleets, and advance high-speed rail and positive train control (PTC) initiatives.

Major infrastructure projects include the replacement of the 102-year-old movable bridge over the Niantic River in Connecticut; modernization of transformers and other electrical equipment between Washington, D.C., and New York City; track and switch upgrades at Chicago’s Union Station; and construction of new maintenance buildings for passenger-car equipment in Los Angeles and Hialeah, Fla.

Amtrak also plans to renovate a station in Wilmington, Del.; expand the Auto Train station in Sanford, Fla.; restore locomotives and passenger cars in Beech Grove, Ind., and Bear, Del.; complete a multi-year modernization of catenary wires on the Hell Gate Line in New York; and begin upgrading a Seattle maintenance facility.

In addition, the railroad will advance an “aggressive, self-imposed schedule” to install PTC by the end of 2012 — three years prior to the rail industry’s federally mandated deadline. A “significant amount of design and engineering, and some installation work” will occur this year, said Boardman.

Next month, Amtrak also plans to announce a plan to replace and expand its rolling stock fleet to accommodate anticipated ridership growth. The railroad expects to purchase several hundred single-level and bi-level long-distance cars, and more than 100 locomotives, said Boardman.

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=22333