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Site preparation begins on East Lansing Amtrak station
Good News!!!
My question: is it near the old location? I’m hoping so, because of the occasional mention of restoration of passenger service between Grand Rapids and Detroit, which would cross the Blue Water route near the existing station.
It is a few blocks east but curiously, according to the map, it is next to the CSX Detroit-GR line but at least a block from the CN/GTW line where the Blue Water currently runs.
It would be great to see a map with the location of new depot vs old one. Last May I was amazed by the large number of passengers boarding there and how unsafe it was.
It is not clear if they would be able to use the new station for both rail lines. Can they?
Michigan has wised up in redirecting its transportationspending priorities. Many new intermodal terminals for both bus and rail, and local public transit are generating good bi-partisan support state-wide. The decline in Michigan’s growth does not make sense for any new road construction, especially since many of its exisiting roads and bridges have chronically been in poor shape. Building the new depot and other transportation centers will help Michigan residents to be better prepared to use alternative transportation when the day comes that the decaying highways will have to be shut down and completely rebuilt for a better tomorrow.
It is in exactly the same nine acre location as the current depot which a 40 some odd year old lumber company office. Unfortunately it is much more a bus station than a depot which is no surprise as the local bus company is in charge of the project. Most of the land will be consumed for bus lanes and landscaping with the number of parking spaces actually less than what is currently there. Only 30 spaces of the over 150 currently on site will be available for the year it takes to finish the project which was originally scheduled for completion in August 2013. There is very little information on line and the contractor doesn’t even list it as one of their projects. Better than nothing though.
I hope Michigan is not using Highway Trust Fund or othe highway taxes for this. Anyone that thinks this state is in decline is wrong. I94 needs to be six lanes from Indiana to Detroit.
With an alternative to the highway, there won’t be a need for six additional traffic lanes, Mr. Thornton. many people would rather take the train than fight the traffic especially during inclement weather conditions.
TOM T from IL: Trains are hauling parts in as well. Most of the parts are being brought in the longer hi-cube box cars, and I’ve seen many chassis parts stacked up on flat cars, coming in from Mexico.
Yes, Michigan’s roads are bad during the winter, the snow plows beat them up, and the roads sizzle in the spring time when the weather warms up. Next car that runs through a pocket that is sizzling-keechhh!/bang!-one new pothole and another car that needs new shocks. As a kid who grew up there, it was fun to watch sparks fly from the snowplow blade: Wow! 4th of July in the middle of winter!
M&M Miller I bet you have never been to Michigan. Even with many more trains it would have little impact on traffic. And when the weather is bad in winter the traffic is worse. They still build things in Michigan. Railroads still haul a huge amount of finished goods (autos) out but trucks handle the bulk of the parts.
Dear Mel and Mo…its hard to put a millions of tons of freight on a hope and a dream. Michigan DOES need a 3 lane I-94!!! It also needs expanded passenger service. It needs BOTH! Not one or the other.