State pledges $1.5 million for Ann Arbor commuter rail line

Money and near unanimous support from local officials are bringing the proposed U.S. 23 commuter rail line close to becoming the first rapid transit system in Metro Detroit in decades.

"There's no reason that I can see why we couldn't be operational this fall or early next year," says Mike Cicchella, Northfield Township Supervisor and a founding member of the Washtenaw and Livingston Line, commonly known as WALLY.

The Michigan Department of Transportation pledged $1.4 million on top of the $375,000 it has already committed to the project. Local government= officials --from the townships to the feds-- as well as members of the chambers of commerce and institutions like the University of Michigan, are all backing the plan that would establish a commuter rail line between Ann Arbor and Howell along the U.S. 23 corridor.

"That's huge," Cicchella says. "I'm so glad MDOT is stepping out of the box and seeing the potential this has for our region."

Washtenaw County has also pledged $150,000 and Northfield Township has committed another $10,000 to the project. UofM says at least 1,200 of its employs will spend about $1.7 million a year in fares using the line. The city of Howell and Livingston County are also considering making contributions. The project hinges on a $1-million federal grant which could come through as soon as August.

Cicchella is optimistic about WALLY's chances of scoring that grant. So much so that he and several other local officials are reviewing and tweaking bylaws and articles of incorporation to create a transit authority for WALLY

Leaders from the Ann Arbor area started pushing for a commuter rail line north of the city along U.S. 23 into Livingston County last year to help deal with construction improvements along the highway. Although it hasn't worked out that way, leaders from all over the area are now pushing to make the line permanent with stops in Ann Arbor, Whitmore Lake, Hamburg Township, Genoa Township and Howell. The idea is to help relieve congestion along U.S. 23. Rush hour traffic often goes beyond the highway's capacity, often turning the four-lane highway into a parking lot.

A three-car passenger train would make six trips during the morning rush hour and another six trips in the afternoon/evening rush hour. Each stainless steel bi-level car could carry between 500 to 600 people per trip. A train would take about 20 minutes one way, saving commuters about 45 minutes in transport time, officials say.

It is estimated the cost to passengers could be kept in line with what they pay for gas. The city also has an enthusiastic partner in Great Lakes Central Railroad, also known as the Tuscola and Saginaw Bay Railway, which is willing to set up the service and provide the trains.

Cicchella adds that Great Lakes Central is also interested extending the line as far north as Traverse City and as far south as Milan in the long term if the initial project proves successful.

Source: Mike Cicchella, Northfield Township Supervisor and a founding member of the Washtenaw and Livingston Line and Transportation Riders United
Writer: Jon Zemke