Detroit Evening Report: New federal grants for rail projects to expand Amtrak service in Detroit
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Detroit will see some of its Amtrak train service expand in the years ahead, as President Joe Biden announced plans today for more than $8 billion in funding for rail projects across the country.
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The U.S. Department of Transportation says those projects will bring improved service and increased frequencies between Detroit and Chicago, including a new extension to Windsor — providing a direct connection to Canada’s high-speed rail network.
The unprecedented investment in America’s nationwide intercity passenger rail network builds on a $16.4 billion investment announced last month for 25 projects of national significance along America’s busiest rail corridor, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced nearly $30 billion in investments for the nation’s rail system.
“Today, the Biden-Harris Administration takes another historic step to deliver the passenger rail system that Americans have been calling for – with $8.2 billion for faster, more reliable, expanded train service across the country,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in a statement. “With this funding, we’ll deliver America’s first high-speed rail on a route between Southern California and Las Vegas, complete major upgrades for riders in Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maine, Montana, and Alaska, and announce a comprehensive plan that makes it easier to expand passenger rail lines in 44 states.”
The grants also fund a new rail corridor between Detroit and Cleveland, passing through Toledo.
To view the full list of rail projects being funded by the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program, click here.
Other headlines for Friday, Dec. 8, 2023:
- Detroiters have a few days left to apply for the HOPE property tax exemption program.
- I-94 east and westbound will be closed beginning at 7 p.m. tonight through 5 a.m. Monday between the Lodge and I-75 so crews can continue work to replace the Cass Avenue overpass near Wayne State University’s campus.
- The Russell Woods neighborhood will hold its annual “Winter Wonderland in the Park” event from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at Russell Woods Park, 12655 Broadstreet Ave., Detroit.
- Highland Park will hold its “Christmas in the Park Festival” and tree lighting ceremony from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Highland Park City Hall, 12050 Woodward Ave., Highland Park. The tree lighting takes place at 6 p.m.
- Forecasters say Detroiters could see gusty winds with some morning showers on Saturday, but the showers should dissipate by afternoon, leaving only clouds. The highs for the day should be close to 60 degrees. Temperatures get back to normal on Sunday, with highs around 42 degrees.
- The City of Detroit announced on Friday that its final yard waste collection cycle of the year starts on Monday, Dec. 11.
- The Lions play the Bears in Chicago’s Soldier Field on Sunday with a 1 p.m. kickoff.
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