High Speed Rail? Michigan is Moving in Reverse!
The State Senate Must Act Now to Get Us Off the Slow Track.
Michigan is at a rail crossroad. We could have our trains (and our economy) running at 110 mph, yet they are now running at just 40 mph, literally!
Just yesterday (November 30), Norfolk Southern Railroad dropped the speed limit on some of their SE Michigan tracks down to 40 mph, down from the 79 mph formerly permitted.
These slowed trains could doom passengers traveling from St. Joseph to Detroit or from Troy to Chicago to longer, slower travel – not only during this holiday season but well into next year.
The federal government has pledged $161 million to upgrade Michigan rail tracks to speeds of 110 mph — but only if the state provides the 20% matching funds. The Michigan House voted last month on a measure to provide that match – HB 6484.
Yet to date Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and Senate Appropriations Chair Ron Jelinek have not scheduled a vote, despite over 500 phone calls from supportive Michiganders! This is the last week before the legislature quits for the year. The current Senate must complete the job they were hired to do, not quit early with critical, timely work yet to be done.