39 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

From Detroit, MI News, 3/8/07:

A new target date of June 1 has been set by a coalition moving full steam ahead on passenger rail service from Livingston County to Ann Arbor to bypass construction -- that started last week -- along U.S. 23.

Note that this is not the proposed Ann Arbor-Detroit line but rather a service oriented only to Ann Arbor. The story is here.

[Sloan]

Yes! This is an excellent use of rail transit. Pennsylvania used it almost twenty years ago when the state inaugurated the Parkway Limited commuter rail to ease road congestion during new highway construction. It worked very well, and PA DoT officials tried to get the train permanency, but Associated PA Constructors, the highway lobby, beat back that initiative. Milwaukee tried to start something siumilar during the Marquette Interchange construction in 2005, but the state wouldn't provide the funding. Hopefully, enlightened people, conscious of rail's energy-saving benefits, will favorably consider similar projects in the future. Sloan

[KevinKorell]

Milwaukee tried to start something siumilar during the Marquette Interchange construction in 2005, but the state wouldn't provide the funding.

Sloan, if my memory serves me correctly, didn't Wisconsin for a short while (about 10-15 years ago) have some rail service west of Milwaukee to Watertown? I think that was also to mitigate the effects of some highway construction.

[Sloan]

http://www.co.dane.w...il/artbmurp.htm

DOT is now planning a 90-day trail of commuter rail from Milwaukee to Watertown this spring. Alas, the department’s principal goal is not to create a viable consumer service but to facilitate its repaving of I-94. The department refers to the proposal as a construction "mitigation measure." As DOT planner Ron Adams concedes, "We are not prepared to spend a lot of money."

Your memory serves you well, Kevin.

Sloan

[Sloan]

http://www.dailypres...NEWS01/70911012

[Sloan]

http://www.masstransitmag.com/web/online/T...ays/3$4413

[Sloan]

http://www.mlive.com...d....xml&coll=2

[Sloan]

http://blog.mlive.co..._project_w.html

[Sloan]

The article is confusing, so I wasn't sure whether to post this separately or with the Ann Arbor listing.

http://www.metromode...tation0052.aspx

Sloan

[CNJRoss]

WHMI-FM, Howell, MI, 3/28:

WALLY Study Has Managed To Stay On Track In County

The feasibility study of WALLY, the proposed commuter rail line between Ann Arbor and Howell, remains on track. . . . . the main reason behind conducting the study is to have a solid base of facts from which to decide if WALLY is a viable option in the foreseeable and/or longterm future. . . .

Full article.