Detroit Free Press: 3 Michigan Amtrak stations to get high-speed rail upgrades

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3 Michigan Amtrak stations to get high-speed rail upgrades

BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER


Three Amtrak stations in Michigan – including Dearborn’s – will be replaced or renovated with $40 million in federal grants, as part of federal grants totaling $8 billion to create or improve 13 major high-speed rail networks in the U.S.

The money for Michigan is a fraction of the $800 million the state Department of Transportation had requested to shore up Michigan’s segments of a Pontiac to Chicago rail network that is dotted with old, cramped train stations and rails that need improvements.

The grants will be announced later today by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in Tampa, Fla., where one of the largest grants -- $1.25 billion – will pay to build 84 miles of high speed rail and stations between Tampa and Orlando.

It will be Obama’s first public appearance following his State of the Union speech Wednesday night, and is aimed at highlighting the administration’s promises to create new jobs and spur economic growth. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/article/20100128/NEWS06/100128005/1001/rss01