MDOT manages 665 miles of state-owned rail lines. These five lines are operated under contract by five freight railroads. Intercity passenger rail service is also provided by Amtrak on a 135-mile state-owned line between Kalamazoo and Dearborn.

A permit must be obtained to access any state-owned property. Additional agreements may be necessary for long-term use. Permission must be obtained from MDOT for the placement of utilities or other facilities on any of the state-owned corridors. MDOT also provides temporary access and construction permits for its corridors, except Kalamazoo-Dearborn. As the state's accelerated rail corridor, temporary access and construction on that corridor is managed by Amtrak.