Federal Funding Approved for New Dearborn Train Station
The Federal Railroad Association has set aside more than $28 million in funds for a new train station in west Dearborn that would serve as a major link on a commuter line between Ann Arbor and Detroit.
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High-speed rail in Dearborn looks to be on the fast track.
The Federal Railroad Administration, acting through the Michigan Department of Transportation, has invested more than $28 million to build a new train station in Dearborn, according to press releases Friday from Rep. John D. Dingell and the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The funding—$28,204,450, to be exact—will allow Dearborn to consolidate the city’s two passenger rail stations into a new station in the western downtown area that would serve as a major link in a proposed commuter rail system between Ann Arbor and Detroit.
The new facility also would be a part of a future high-speed rail corridor, according to hsrupdates.com.
Both Dingell and Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly praised the announcement.
“This is such an exciting day for the City of Dearborn and The Henry Ford,” Dingell said in a press release. “Improving passenger rail service is something I have long supported, and I look forward to helping this project succeed. Modernizing rail travel will help attract small business development, increase job growth, and enhance the livelihood of communities and business, by helping to expedite the time and efficiency of people and goods getting from point A to point B.
"The City of Dearborn and its economy will reap the benefits of this investment for many years.”
“This project is part of a larger strategy to increase the number of potential customers coming to Dearborn every day," added O'Reilly in the press release issued by Dingell's office. "Increasing the customer base sustains existing businesses and attracts new activity and investment."
O'Reilly said a large thanks is due to Dingell, as well as Sen. Debbie Stabenow, The Henry Ford President Patricia Mooradian, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and the Michigan Department of Transportation.
"With their ongoing help, Dearborn will be a vital stop on a growing and prospering transportation corridor,” O'Reilly said.
Rep. George T. Darany added his congratulations on the future station via press release on Friday as well.
"Our community will be at the forefront of creating a vital transportation network in Michigan," Darany said. "This connection will help attract new businesses, visitors, and job opportunities in Dearborn and will certainly provide substantial benefits for years to come."
melissa
6:54 pm on Friday, August 19, 2011
Wahoo! This is why we moved here
Dearborn Resident
9:30 pm on Friday, August 19, 2011
Why not just roll up the streets of East Dearborn and call it a day? This is the most wasteful thing , why not upgrade the station that already resides in E Dbn? What a load of you know what.
Dearborn Resident
9:33 pm on Friday, August 19, 2011
Take a drive along Warren Avenue and view the Detroit like garbage and thigh high weeds that line the streets, thats what E. Dearborn is all about. Dont put any money into it, God forbid we should try to upgrade it. Pour the money into a new station because its just too much like right to upgrade the old station.
Concerned Citizen
12:51 pm on Saturday, August 20, 2011
This is a great development. This is some good news and I for one am proud to praise it. Everyone involved deserves a lot of credit, but it's not done yet. There is much work to do. Please make sure there is enough free parking and definitely have tourist shuttles and "bicycle and greenway linkages" to our cultural attractions like The Henry Ford, the downtowns (both east and west), the colleges, the Arab American National Museum, the historical museums, libraries, parks, etc. Have a big map that highlights the destinations and hotspots in Dearborn. The new station could even have bike rentals!
Thank you for getting us one step closer to improving public transportation, which is sorely needed here. I believe it will benefit our area for years to come!
Dearborn Taxpayer
9:15 am on Monday, August 22, 2011
I'm skeptical since all the politicians are praising spending money that our government essentially borrows from our children and grand-children. Why don't I see any comments from for-profit Dearborn business owners in any of the press releases? For now, I'll just have to wait and see how this turns out for businesses in Dearborn and trust that our politicians who have successfully brought home some bacon for us will deliver on their word that this will help more than just themselves get re-elected.