LANSING – State Representative Pam Byrnes (D-Lyndon Township) today announced that the House passed her resolution urging the federal government to approve a $1 million grant to develop a commuter rail route connecting Howell and Ann Arbor.
"The U.S. 23 corridor between Washtenaw and Livingston counties is one of the most heavily congested routes in Southeast Michigan," Byrnes said. "Gridlock slows down our residents and puts our motorists in danger. A commuter rail line would be a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly way for many residents to get to and from work every day."
A group of local units of government, chambers of commerce, universities and other organizations recently teamed up with the Michigan Department of Transportation to explore the possibility of building a commuter rail line parallel to U.S. 23 to reduce congestion. The group applied for a $1 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration in hopes of building stations and rail crossings as early as this fall.
Statistics have shown the stretch of U.S. 23 between Washtenaw and Livingston counties to be dangerous. On average, the stretch sees 2,600 accidents per year, with almost 60 percent of the accidents being rear-end crashes occurring during peak driving times. Between 2003 and 2005, accidents on the stretch caused more than 600 injuries and six fatalities.
Byrnes noted that a survey conducted by local universities and chambers of commerce showed a significant interest in a commuter rail system, with over half of respondents saying they would use the service four to five days per week.
"Not only would this commuter railway line be a boon to Southeast Michigan – it would also serve as a valuable guide for future transit programs across the state," Byrnes said. "I call on the federal government to do what is right for residents throughout Michigan and approve this grant."