New Amtrak station approved for Grand Rapids

From WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids

The Downtown Development Authority is giving the thumbs up for a new Amtrak train station in Grand Rapids.

DDA members this morning approved $850,000 for the new Pere Marquette station.

It will be located across the street from the Rapid bus station at the corner of Wealthy and Century Avenue.

The position of the current station at Wealthy and Market Avenue forces trains to block traffic on both roads while passengers get on and off the train. The project has already received $3.8 million from the Federal Railroad Administration.

The Pere Marquette line provides daily service between Grand Rapids and Chicago, with several stops in West Michigan including Holland.

Amtrak hopes to construct the new Grand Rapids station by 2012 or early 2013.

 Source: http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=138830&catid=48