Stabenow, Peters Announce Over $15.5 Million in Federal Funding for Pedestrian Safety Crossings Along Michigan Line Rail Corridor

Funding Will Support MDOT Efforts to Improve Pedestrian Safety, Address Trespassing Along Hotspot Rail Crossings

Monday, September 21, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) today announced that the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will receive $15,619,365 to complete infrastructure improvements for pedestrian rail crossings along the Michigan Line between Dearborn and Kalamazoo. Over the past four years, 12 pedestrians have been struck by trains along the Michigan Line, in addition to many near-misses. MDOT’s project will improve rail crossing safety and help prevent trespassing at “hotspot” crossings along the Michigan Line, which go through downtowns and college campuses.

 

“Over the past few years pedestrians have been struck by Amtrak trains and many near misses have been recorded,” said Senator Stabenow. “This investment will help to address the need for critical safety improvements along Michigan’s state-owned rail lines.”

 

“The Michigan Line passes through a number of densely populated communities, and we must do everything we can to prioritize the safety of Michiganders,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “This grant will ensure we have stronger security and safeguards in place along rail crossings to improve safety and operations. I was pleased to support MDOT’s application, and I’ll continue working to ensure Michigan has the federal resources needed to protect communities across the state.”

 

“The MDOT railroad team works hard to ensure safe rail travel across the state,” said MDOT Director Paul C. Ajegba. “We are especially grateful to Senator Peters and Senator Stabenow for their work on this grant, which will be a tremendous help to our efforts to limit pedestrian-train conflict points on the busy Dearborn-Kalamazoo corridor.”

 

Funding from this grant comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program. More information about the program can be found by clicking here.

 

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