The federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA) requires states to prepare state rail plans in order to receive federal rail grants. The Michigan Department of Transportation is in the early stages of putting Michigan’s rail plan together. Public participation and input is required for a successful state rail plan.
In the summer and fall, 2010, the Michigan Environmental Council, the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers and partner organizations will convene a series of public forums throughout the state in an effort to engage Michigan citizens in a discussion about their vision for the state’s passenger and freight rail system.
These forums are not the official input sessions - MDOT will begin those in the fall. The Michigan By Rail forums are intended to begin the discussion of what our future passenger rail system should look like and how it should operate.
The Michigan by Rail public forums will include:
- An overview of the state’s existing rail system
- An interactive rail mapping session
- A discussion of public financing issues for rail projects and service
- A statewide vision for freight, intercity passenger and commuter rail
Public Forum Tentative Dates and Locations
- June 14, 6-8 pm- Royal Oak at St. John’s Episcopal Church
- July 8, 6 – 8 pm- East Lansing at The Peoples Church
- July 15, 6 – 8 pm- Battle Creek at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Congressman Mark H. Schauer
- July 22, 7 – 9 pm- Traverse City at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center
- August 18- New Buffalo
- August 26, 6 – 8 pm- Jackson at the Michigan Theatre Congressman Mark H. Schauer (hosting)
- September 8 - St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Congressman Fred Upton (hosting)
- September 15- Dearborn at U of M Dearborn
- September 23- Holland at the Holland East Public School
- September 30- Flint at the Mass Transit Authority
- October 14- Grand Rapids Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers (hosting)
- October 21- Monroe
- October 27 – 29- Detroit
- November 18- Kalamazoo Congressman Fred Upton (invited)
- December 8- Muskegon
- December 9- Ann Arbor Congressman John Dingell (hosting)
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This page has the following sub pages.
- July 8 East Lansing Forum
- July 15 Battle Creek Forum
- July 22 Traverse City Forum
- August 18 New Buffalo Forum
- August 26 Jackson Forum
- September 8 St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Forum
- September 15 Dearborn Forum
- Thursday September 23 Holland Forum
- September 30 Flint Forum
- October 14 Grand Rapids Forum
- October 21 Monroe Forum
- October 28 Detroit Forum
- November 18 Kalamazoo Forum
- December 8 Muskegon Forum
- December 9 Ann Arbor Forum
I would like to suggest adding a forum in City of Monroe. This is a proposed station on the Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit HSR corridor of the Ohio Hub plan. There is much interest in Monroe, and folks in Toledo may wish to attend to talk about the need for bi-state linkage.
Diane Reamer-Evans
Transportation Project Manager
Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments
419-241-9155 ext. 117
When and where is the “Real”/follow-up forum meeting scheduled for Northern Michigan? With approximately 1.1 million population along the RR tracks to Traverse City and Petoskey from Ann Arbor, some passenger rail service must be made available to the aging population and thousands of Tourists that travel to this area each year!
Also, there are more than 15 Colleges and Universities from Ann Arbor thru Northern Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula that need to made more accessible. Please advise.
Sincerely, Donald Monteith 231-547-6864
MARP, NARP, Midwest High Speed Rail Assoc. and WisARP member.