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Dear Secretary LaHood:
We are writing to strongly encourage a favorable review of Michigan’s applications for high speed rail investment made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Michigan is well positioned to assist in the implementation of the President’s national vision and strategic plan for high speed rail and to demonstrate its efficacy as a world-class transportation option that creates livable communities and energy independence.
Michigan’s applications are designed to strengthen the state and local economies by significantly enhancing the Pontiac/Detroit/Chicago corridor, federally designated in 1992, offering citizens a more robust transit option and improving freight corridors. Our applications, totaling $833 million are expected to create 10,400 direct and indirect jobs. The Track I applications include requests for funding to stabilize and secure the existing rail track, implement train control safety equipment, and other operational improvements that will allow for more frequent and reliable rail service at an eventual speed of 110 miles per hour. In addition, successful Track I applications will permit Michigan to enter into a unique lease and purchase agreement with the major Class I freight railroad that owns a significant mileage on the corridor and to improve the existing Amtrak service.
The ARRA high speed rail initiative complements efforts already underway in Michigan. Since 1974, Michigan, along with our local and private sector partners, has invested nearly $100 million in rail passenger capital improvements. Many of the communities along the corridors are investing in rail stations that will jumpstart commercial and residential development surrounding the stations. In addition, we are exploring avenues to transition our advanced manufacturing capacities and workforce skills into production and maintenance of rail equipment and rolling stock.
We are excited about connecting Michigan communities to the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative hub of Chicago. Michigan has been a member of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative since its inception more than a decade ago. Governor Granholm, along with eight other Midwest Governors and the Mayor of Chicago, signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining a vision and a framework for implementation of the Midwest high speed rail passenger service.
This one-of-a-kind agreement recognizes a priority to establish high speed rail service connecting the Chicago hub to the following corridors: St. Louis, Milwaukee- Madison, and Detroit-Pontiac.
An investment in Michigan will provide a strong federal partnership in enhancing a significant high speed rail corridor that will result in immediate ridership growth, job creation, and local economic development. We hope you will give Michigan’s application all due consideration.
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