October 5, 2009 -- The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Indiana and Illinois Departments of Transportation, is proposing significant improvements to the Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac segment of the Chicago Hub High-Speed Rail Corridor.
MDOT recently completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The EA describes the proposed improvements and steps taken to minimize harm to the surrounding area. The purpose of these proposed improvements is to upgrade the existing rail infrastructure and facilities in order to safely improve travel times, update equipment (replace the existing train sets with up to 10 new train sets), improve accessibility and reliability, and upgrade on-board and station amenities within the Chicago-Detroit-Pontiac corridor.
Planned improvements also are proposed for three stations along the corridor. A new station will be constructed in Troy to replace the Birmingham station; and a new station will be constructed in Dearborn combining two existing stations in that area. The third station, located in Battle Creek, will be rehabilitated.
MDOT is encouraging the public to review and comment on the EA, which is available at the following locations: MDOT Bureau of Transportation Planning, 425 West Ottawa St., Lansing; MDOT Metro Region Office, 18101 W. Nine Mile Road, Southfield; MDOT Southwest Region, 1501 Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo; and MDOT University Region, 701 West Michigan Ave., Jackson.
The document is also available on MDOT's Web site. Go to www.michigan.gov/mdot, then "Rails & Public Transit," then "Applications for High-Speed Rail Projects from Federal Recovery Funds."
Comments must be received by Oct. 20. Mail, fax or e-mail comments to Lori Noblet, Bureau of Transportation Planning, Michigan Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, Michigan 48909; fax: 517-373-9255; e-mail: nobletl@michigan.gov. Those unable to submit requests in writing should call 517-335-2906 (voice) or 517-373-0012 (TDD) to arrange accommodations.
If the public has no concerns regarding the proposed improvements to the Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Rail Corridor, and the study finds there are no significant impacts from the proposed improvements, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be issued.
MDOT: Working with our partners at airports, bus systems, marine and rail to find innovative solutions for Michigan's transportation systems.
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