Governor Snyder discussed
transportation in his State of the State address. He explained that the Department of Transportation will be part of his Economic Development team, demonstrating how highly he values transportation.
He also strong endorsed the the Detroit River International Crossing (a new public-private bridge), which TRU is still not convinced is necessary. He built some excitement by announcing that Canadian construction funds could be used to match federal highway construction funds in Michigan.
MDOT officials have clarified that unfortunately those funds cannot be used for rail or transit projects. But it does show creative thinking and a commitment to getting federal funds for transportation projects.
That gives us hope that the newly reintroduced rail bonding bill will be passed by the legislature, providing the matching funds to ensure that Michigan receives the $161 million in federal high speed rail funds we were promised last year.
Call new Transportation Chair Rep. Paul Opsommer and urge him to pass the rail bonding bill right away!
Unfortunately the Governor still has not taken a stance in support of High Speed Rail.
"I want to look at it hard. I put my value-for-money lens on that. You have to look at it in terms of a longer-term horizon, just because of the nature of the infrastructure investment. I don’t take it off the table, and we’re going to look pretty hard at it when we have the opportunity."
And finally, federal officials officially signed a grant agreement ensuring $25 million in stimulus funds for Woodward Light Rail. While this funding was originally announced last year, this signed agreement ensures congress can’t do anything stupid to take it away!