Michigan Secures $145 Million in Funding for Passenger Rail Improvements

Michigan Secures $145 Million in Funding for Passenger Rail Improvements

Federal investment will advance three Michigan projects and strengthen rail connections across the Midwest

LANSING, Mich.— The Michigan Infrastructure Office (MIO) today announced that Michigan has been awarded $145 million in Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP) funding to advance three projects that will strengthen the state’s passenger rail infrastructure and support more reliable connections between Michigan communities and major Midwest destinations, including Chicago.

Submitted by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the three projects will address critical bridge and rail infrastructure needs along the Michigan Line, a key passenger rail corridor connecting Chicago with communities across Michigan. The corridor supports Amtrak’s Wolverine and a portion of the Blue Water services, providing residents and visitors with connections to Detroit, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Jackson, Port Huron and Chicago. Improving the reliability and performance of the corridor will make it easier for Michiganders and visitors to travel for work, school, tourism and other opportunities across the Midwest.

“Strong passenger rail infrastructure connects Michiganders to jobs, communities and opportunities while strengthening our economy and our connection to the broader Midwest,” said Kevin Mehren, director of the Michigan Infrastructure Office. “This investment will help Michigan address critical infrastructure needs while building a stronger, more reliable passenger rail system for residents and visitors. We’re proud to partner with MDOT and our federal partners to bring these investments to Michigan.”

Michigan will also benefit from FSP awards supporting the broader Midwest passenger rail network. Illinois received funding to strengthen rail infrastructure and maintenance capabilities connected to Chicago, while Wisconsin led a multistate application that secured $140 million to modernize up to 41 locomotives serving Amtrak routes across the Midwest, including Michigan’s Wolverine, Blue Water and Pere Marquette routes.

“MDOT is excited to be awarded $145 million in Federal Railroad Administration grants to improve the state-owned rail corridor between Kalamazoo and Dearborn that is utilized by Amtrak passenger trains and Norfolk Southern freight trains,” said Peter Anastor, MDOT Office of Rail administrator. “Since the line was purchased by the state in 2012, MDOT has continually made improvements to this vital corridor to increase safety, speed and reliability.”

The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration. The FSP grant program provides funding for projects designed to improve the state of good repair, improve passenger rail performance and expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service. The three Michigan projects selected for Federal-State Partnership funding include:

Michigan Accelerated Rail Bridge Reconstruction

MDOT will receive up to $28.95 million to advance final design and construction to reconstruct four structurally deficient bridges along the Michigan Line in Comstock Township, Sandstone Charter Township and Superior Charter Township. The improvements will bring the infrastructure into a state of good repair, increase bridge load ratings, strengthen corridor reliability and help prevent future slow orders and closures affecting passenger and freight rail.

Michigan Line Blackman Road Bridge Replacement

MDOT will receive up to $17.97 million to replace the 124-year-old Blackman Road Bridge in Jackson with a wider bridge structure designed to accommodate potential future expansion. The improvements will increase clearance for roadway traffic and emergency vehicles while bringing the bridge into a state of good repair, improving safety and supporting faster, more reliable rail service. The project will benefit Amtrak’s Wolverine route, which connects Detroit and Pontiac with Chicago.

Michigan Line Rail Track and Turnout Renewal 

MDOT will receive up to $98.39 million to advance final design and construction of track-related improvements along MDOT-owned infrastructure between Dearborn and Kalamazoo. The work will improve the condition and performance of the rail corridor, strengthen reliability and help reduce travel times by addressing infrastructure needs that can contribute to slow orders and service disruptions. The Dearborn-to-Kalamazoo segment is part of the Michigan Line and supports Amtrak’s Wolverine and Blue Water services, helping connect communities across Michigan with Chicago.

Since Governor Whitmer established the Michigan Infrastructure Office, Michigan has secured more than $16 billion in federal funding for roads, bridges, public transit, water infrastructure and broadband access.

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.