From Mlive.com:

The Michigan legislature on Wednesday approved a supplemental spending bill that will  unlock federal funds to fast-track improvements along the planned high-speed rail line between Detroit and Chicago.

Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to sign the bill, which uses a combination of $39.2 million in local, private and state transportation funds as a match to finish unlocking $358.9 million in competitive federal grants.

Most significantly, the legislation sets aside money for the state to purchase and rehabilitate a 138 mile segment of tracks between Dearborn and Kalamazoo that currently is owned by Norfolk Southern. If you’ve taken Amtrak to Chicago in the past few months, you know congestion on this stretch has been causing regular delays, but improvements there, coupled with nearly completed work between Kalamazoo and Porter, Indiana are expected to allow trains to travel up to 110 mph and cut the trip from Detroit to under 4.5 hours.

The bill also authorizes spending on a track connection project in west Detroit,  construction of a new station in Grand Rapids and preliminary engineering and environmental work to position the Ann Arbor station for future construction funding.

Michigan won a sizable portion of the federal rail funds — nearly $200 million — after Florida’s Republican governor rejected stimulus dollars awarded by the Obama administration, but Snyder has embraced high-speed rail.

“Accelerated rail service has the ability to enhance our economy, environment and overall quality of life,” he said back in May when Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood presented state leaders with a giant check.

“An investment of this magnitude can spur economic development in our communities with rail stations, and provide access to a 21st century rail system that will help Michigan citizens compete in a global economy.”

While some Michigan Republicans have expressed skepticism that high-speed rail is a good investment, both the state House and the Senate approved the appropriations bill — which also authorized spending for several other programs — by wide margins.

Kevin Brubaker, deputy director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, praised the development.

“Lawmakers in Michigan, and Governor Rick Snyder, rightly recognize that passenger rail is critical to restore the economic health of the region, creating jobs now while putting the infrastructure in place to keep Michigan competitive in the future,” he said. “Good policy does indeed make good politics and we hope others will look to Michigan as a role model for bipartisan progress.”

From the Lansing State Journal:

Michigan Flyer won’t be adding another route to its bus service between East Lansing and Detroit Metropolitan Airport anytime soon.

The privately owned airport shuttle service did not receive a $1.5 million federal grant to help it start a new route from East Lansing to the Detroit airport along Interstate 96. Stops were planned in Howell, Brighton and Ann Arbor. Michigan Flyer already offers service between East Lansing and the airport with stops in Jackson and Ann Arbor.

“The Federal Highway Administration had far more quality applications before them to review than they had funds to award,” said Janet Foran, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, which sponsored the application.

Another local project did receive funding – the city of Lansing received $326,100 to revamp a portion of South Washington Avenue in the REO Town district.

The federal government didn’t tell Michigan Flyer why its application was denied, Chad Cushman, vice president at Owosso-based Indian Trails Inc., said in a statement. Michigan Flyer is owned by Indian Trails and East Lansing-based Okemos Travel.

Still, Michigan Flyer plans to reapply for the grant if funding is allocated for next year, he said.

“While our proposal had strong support from MDOT and the Michigan congressional delegation, local community leaders clearly did not understand that Michigan Flyer is an essential transportation option for a broad cross-section of people in mid-Michigan …” he said in a statement.

Michigan Flyer’s grant application stirred up debate when the Capital Region Airport Authority, which oversees Capital Region International Airport, voiced opposition to the plan. The Lansing airport contended it would encourage travelers to fly in and out of Detroit and detract from the Lansing airport’s business.

The Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, which represents Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties, also voted against supporting the grant application.

Source: http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20111001/BUSINESS/110010315/East-Lansing-won-t-get-new-bus-route-Metro-after-all?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|s

From AnnArbor.com:

The state of Michigan is making moves to purchase and rehabilitate the Norfolk Southern Railway line that passes through Ann Arbor— another positive sign for high-speed rail.

A Senate appropriations bill including nearly $400 million in rail-related spending is expected to move on the floor of the state House this week, and it’s expected to pass.

“This legislation is the first step towards accepting the hundreds of millions of dollars our Congressional delegation has secured for Michigan’s rail infrastructure,” said state Rep. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, calling it good news for the I-94 corridor and the entire state.

“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. “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.”

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. That came on Thursday when the Senate voted 30-6 in favor of Senate Bill 237.

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.

Read more: http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-to-reap-benefits-of-nearly-400m-in-expected-rail-improvements-in-michigan/#.ToIgctPp75o.email

From the Troy Times:

Plans for the Troy Multi-Modal Transit Facility chugged ahead after the Troy City Council approved the contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation that allows dispersal of just under $8.5 million in federal grant money to fund the project.

The project is on track to be finished by September of 2013.

The council approved the contract in a 6-1 vote at the Sept. 12 meeting. Troy City Councilman Martin Howrylak opposed the measure. He cited concerns over what rate Davis-Bacon wages would be, which are determined by the federal government and must be paid to workers on federally funded projects, lack of “any new rail service” resulting from the project and the $8.4 million cost on a “very small building” (3,000 square foot).

The estimated cost of the project is $8.484 million.

Read more: http://www.candgnews.com/news/council-approves-contract-release-8-million-fund-local-transit-center

From the North West Indiana TImes

As the Wolverine leaves Chicago’s Union Station each afternoon, passengers  aboard the Amtrak train to Detroit look out their windows at the urban maze of  concrete and steel.

Once the train crosses the Indiana state line, though, skyscrapers soon are  replaced with the natural beauty of the thick forests and flowing sands of the  Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Frank and Ruth Maxwell love highlighting that difference.

The Maxwells are among about 20 teams of volunteers who board the Wolverine  in Chicago and ride to Niles, Mich., and back three times a week, explaining the  biodiversity of the Indiana Dunes to passengers as part of the Trails and Rails  program.

Ranger Bruce Rowe said the program, which has 19 routes canvassing the  country, started locally this summer.

“It is designed to give passengers on these trains a chance to explore a bit  of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore without getting off the train,” Rowe  said.

Shortly after the train departs Union Station, Frank and Ruth Maxwell take to  the public address system, telling passengers to be on the lookout for the  waving grasses and patches of wildflowers that soon will be outside their  windows, and inviting them to learn more about what they’re seeing.

“About 60 percent of the time we’re either in or on the border of the  National Lakeshore,” Ruth said. “Once we leave Hammond, the National Park starts  in bits and pieces.”

Frank, a train enthusiast, and Ruth, a former teacher and nature guide, said  the program was a perfect fit for them in their retirement. Living in the Porter  Beach area, the Maxwells said they’re happy to help bring the joy they’ve found  along the lakeshore to others.

“We’re actually hoping that we’re sharing our love of the National Park and  letting people know that we’re lucky enough to have a National Park in our  area,” Ruth said.

After passing the station in Hammond’s Robertsdale neighborhood, Ruth, who  worked at the Environmental Learning Center taking kids on hikes through the  park, begins working the Wolverine’s five cars, handing out brochures about the  Dunes and giving children an activity sheet and crayons.

“We have a special Junior Ranger program for them,” she said.

Frank stays back in the cafe car and greets people on their way to grab a  quick bite.

After stopping by and talking to Frank, Troy Grivet, an engineer from  Jackson, Mich., on his way to Chicago, said he’d consider bringing his family to  the Dunes to camp and hike.

Frank said helping people discover an often overlooked gem, makes the daylong  rail adventure worth it.

“It’s just a good place to go to have some fun and enjoy nature,” Frank  said.

The Trails and Rails program is set to run again on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and  Thursdays from Oct. 11 through Oct. 20. Travelers will be able to see fall  foliage, as leaves change from their rich greens to deep autumn hues.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/duneland/beverly-shores/article_f4b5a8f0-3e59-5be5-837d-f5fb3f46efb5.html#ixzz1YSsSRLf6