October 30, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 30, 2024
Contact: Michiganinfrastructure@michigan.gov
Michigan Department of Transportation Secures Over $67 Million in Federal Funding to Advance Intermodal Project in Detroit
Funding will enhance Michigan’s rail infrastructure, promoting economic growth, improving air quality and advancing environmental justice
LANSING, Mich.— Today, the Michigan Infrastructure Office announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), in collaboration with the City of Detroit and Norfolk Southern Corporation (Norfolk Southern), has secured over $67 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to upgrade the Livernois Intermodal Facility (IMF) to cut emissions, improve efficiency, support supply chains, and lessen environmental impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.
The funding, made possible by the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program and supported by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), will enhance rail infrastructure in Southeast Michigan, promoting economic growth, improving reliability and advancing environmental sustainability across the state. The $67 million award will be matched by $45 million in funding from Norfolk Southern, MDOT, and the City of Detroit for a total investment of $112 million in the IMF.
"This funding will help make improvements that will greatly improve the quality of life for residents of Southwest Detroit living near this facility by reducing dust and vehicle emissions, as well as significantly improving its appearance,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “The City is deeply appreciative to the Biden-Harris administration and our partners at Norfolk Southern and Gov. Whitmer's team for securing this funding."
The funding will support the Detroit Realizing Environmental Changes Happening Around Railroads Generating Equitable Development (RECHARGED) project, which aims to significantly increase the Livernois IMF’s efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Improvements include approximately 17,200 feet of new rail track, upgraded yard paving, and the replacement of existing diesel cranes with advanced hybrid and fully electric models.
The Livernois Intermodal Facility serves as a pivotal transit point for shipping containers, allowing for seamless transfer between rail and road transport. This facility is crucial to Detroit’s supply chain, supporting industries ranging from manufacturing to retail. The planned infrastructure upgrades will reduce the number of trucks on roads, ease congestion, and direct traffic away from residential neighborhoods, resulting in reduced dust and air pollution while more than doubling the facility’s container lift capacity.
“This award marks a pivotal step forward for Michigan’s rail infrastructure and Norfolk Southern’s vision to build a ‘Terminal of the Future’ in Detroit, made possible through an invaluable partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation and the City of Detroit,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Mark George. “The Livernois Intermodal Facility project will strengthen our operations, drive economic growth, and create jobs in Detroit and the surrounding region. Importantly, this investment directly benefits the Southwest Detroit community by addressing long-standing priorities, including reducing diesel emissions, improving air quality, and enhancing truck routes. By incorporating state-of-the-art technology and advanced upgrades, we’ll also better serve customers and partners who rely on access to Midwest markets.”
The Detroit RECHARGED project emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability by reducing emissions associated with diesel-operated cranes, thus improving air quality for the surrounding residents and businesses. For Detroit communities historically affected by emissions and noise, these changes mean cleaner air, less traffic disruption, and improved quality of life. The project’s enhancements will provide a more efficient rail service, benefiting local industries and improving freight transport capacity. By investing in advanced rail technologies and expanding intermodal facilities, Michigan is positioning itself as a leader in the transportation sector, fostering growth and innovation for years to come.
“MDOT appreciates the assistance from our federal partners as we work to enhance safety, help clean up the air and continue the economic viability of the Detroit Livernois Intermodal Facility,” said State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich. “We look forward to working with the City of Detroit and the railroad to get these projects implemented as these upgrades will help enhance the quality of life for often-marginalized residents who have endured the effects of poor air quality from emissions.”
Additional Michigan Projects Win CRISI Funding
In addition to MDOTl, the following Michigan projects received funding from CRISI:
Mobilizing to Secure Federal Dollars
Since the passage of the BIL, as well as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and CHIPS and Science Act, Michigan has aggressively mobilized to secure federal resources. Studies show Michigan has brought home more than $26 billion from the IRA and $13 billion from the BIL. This funding, in tandem with Governor Whitmer’s clean energy legislative package, "Make it in Michigan" Competitiveness Fund, and bipartisan economic development tools is growing the middle class, creating good-paying, in-demand manufacturing jobs, bringing supply chains home, and lowering energy costs for families.
"This funding, made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration, will allow MDOT, Detroit and Norfolk Southern to make significant improvements to the Livernois Intermodal Facility, improving air quality in local communities while supporting economic growth across the state,” said Zachary Kolodin, Michigan’s chief infrastructure officer and director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “Michigan continues to prove to the federal government that we are a smart investment, and this project is a testament to our continued role as a leader in sustainable infrastructure that benefits all Michiganders.”
For more information, please visit www.michigan.gov/whitmer/issues/michigan-infrastructure-office.
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE
The MIO is responsible for organizing and executing Governor Whitmer’s vision for infrastructure, coordinating across state government, marshaling resources, and partnering with local officials, federal partners, and outside stakeholders to ensure resources sent to Michigan through BIL, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), are used efficiently and effectively.
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