U.S. 23 commuter rail line could be up and running by June

New life has been breathed into the commuter rail project along U.S. 23 north of Ann Arbor.
 
A coalition of local Ann Arbor area officials are planning to have service up and running for the proposed commuter line by June. 
 
"That’s our current target," says Eli Cooper, transportation program manager for Ann Arbor. "Only time will tell how it goes. There has been a really positive response. There is a lot of momentum behind the objective."
 
The Michigan Department of Transportation has pledged several hundred thousand dollars to make improvements to the track and the coalition is applying for up to $1 million in federal funding. They expect fares will offset the rest of the cost for $1.5-million project.
 
Ann Arbor is pushing for the U.S. 23 commuter rail line to help offset congestion on the heavily traveled highway between the state’s fastest growing county (Livingston) and one of its most vibrant cities (Ann Arbor).

MDOT has started closing down sections of U.S. 23 to repair bridges between Brighton and Ann Arbor. That project is expected to last until late this summer and create massive amounts of congestion. "Traffic is a mess," Cooper says.
 
The short commuter rail route would utilize existing tracks between the Ann Arbor’s north side and the Livingston County border just south of Brighton. A temporary station would be set up with near a large parking lot in Livingston County. Another temporary station is planned for Plymouth Road with buses that would take passengers to several points throughout the city, such as downtown and the University of Michigan Hospital.
 
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, Cooper said. He estimates 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, which is willing to set up the service and provide the trains.
 
Source: Eli Cooper, transportation program manager for Ann Arbor.