WMI, Hamilton NW and LSRC recieve “railroad enhancement program grants”

[David Collins]

https://content.govdelivery.com/account ... tid=Zxz2cZ

Pretty cool, would be interesting to see what kind of projects they’ll be starting with the money.

[GP30M4216]

A bunch of railroads, mostly short lines, will benefit. Your tax dollars at work, kids!

First Michigan Railroad Enhancement Program Grants Announced

Grants totaling $19 million awarded to 12 freight rail projects across the state will leverage approximately $48 million in other investment in the rail system

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced the first round of recipients for the new 2023 Michigan Rail Enhancement Grant Program (M-REP) that will invest $19 million towards freight rail projects across Michigan. The twelve projects that were competitively selected, make strategic investments in freight rail corridors and facilities to improve rail safety, operational efficiency, accessibility, capacity, and condition.

“With approximately 3,600 miles of rail corridors in Michigan operated by 29 freight railroads, freight rail keeps our diverse economy rolling,” said Governor Whitmer. “From farmers depending on rail to haul their crops to market to auto manufacturers shipping finished products across North America, rail creates jobs and serves communities across our state. The 2023 Michigan Rail Enhancement Grant will invest $19 million across Michigan, ensure our rail system is safe, efficient, and meets Michigan’s economic and transportation needs. Let’s continue working together to keep Michigan’s rail economy on track.”

M-REP grants reimburse up to 70 percent of project costs associated with railroad track, bridges, grade crossings, rail scales to weigh freight cars on mainline corridors and at rail yards, intermodal facilities, and transload facilities. Movable equipment or freight rail rolling stock may be considered if plans are submitted that provide adequate controls for Michigan-specific use.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for growth in West Michigan and the agriculture industry,” said Sen. Roger Victory, R-Georgetown Township. “Making these types of smart investments in our rail systems will unlock new levels of production and improve logistics across the board.”

“We are excited to participate in the first round of the Michigan Rail Enhancement Grant Program awards, said John Rickooff, chief executive officer and president of the Lake State Railway Co. “Lake State Railway looks forward to working with MDOT to complete these projects.”

“We are honored to be selected to partner with MDOT as they work to improve, expand, and rehabilitate freight rail corridors throughout Michigan, said Mike Hnatiuk, director of Marketing for the West Michigan Railroad Co. and the Hamilton Northwestern Railroad Co. “Once completed, these projects will deliver an immediate benefit to local communities and the region. These infrastructure enhancement projects will significantly minimize the amount of time railroad crossings are blocked, as well as provide public access for companies to utilize rail, who currently do not have access to freight rail services. The new public access site is expected to take as many as 8,000-10,000 long haul trucks off Michigan roads each year, which will reduce congestion and road deterioration on Michigan highways, as well as eliminate unnecessary truck CO2 emissions. The Michigan Rail Enhancement Grant Program is a perfect example of public private partnerships that deliver true lasting benefits to Michigan communities.”

In 2022, funds were dedicated for rail-related economic development projects and rail freight system preservation projects. The grants will leverage approximately $48 million in other investment in the rail system.

M-REP Fiscal Year 2023 Projects

[JBaxter]

The article breaks down what companies got what funds by location and lists the project description next to it (update: after the combination of the two posts the table showing that stuff is now in the post above). It will still be interesting to see how these projects eventually turn out

[Ben Higdon]

I wonder if the Hamilton Northwestern transload will be located on the north side of the Rabbit River trestle in Hamilton?

[1TrackMind]

GDLK slacking again...

[Dowagiac Train Dude]

I wonder where the new siding is going to be located for the West Michigan Railroad in Hartford. Does anyone have any idea where that will be?

[Jim_c]

I wonder if the Hamilton Northwestern transload will be located on the north side of the Rabbit River trestle in Hamilton?

I was thinking it could be next to the Fillmore Rd. crossing.

[kd_1014]

I wonder where the new siding is going to be located for the West Michigan Railroad in Hartford. Does anyone have any idea where that will be?

Not sure where, but either a runaround track or to start rebuilding east towards Paw Paw

[GRHC]

I wonder if the Hamilton Northwestern transload will be located on the north side of the Rabbit River trestle in Hamilton?

I was thinking it could be next to the Fillmore Rd. crossing.

That’s great to hear the Hamilton Northwestern received this grant money for tie replacement and the transload yard!

I would think Fillmore would be the logical place to build a transload yard. They would probably have to acquire some additional property which may be what part of the grant is for.

[12Bridge]

I wonder where the new siding is going to be located for the West Michigan Railroad in Hartford. Does anyone have any idea where that will be?

Not sure where, but either a runaround track or to start rebuilding east towards Paw Paw

They already got a large Crissy grant last year to rebuild going east.

[chapmaja]

I wonder where the new siding is going to be located for the West Michigan Railroad in Hartford. Does anyone have any idea where that will be?

Not sure where, but either a runaround track or to start rebuilding east towards Paw Paw

They already got a large Crissy grant last year to rebuild going east.

What would the purpose of rebuilding this line to Paw Paw be? I am looking at the maps and just don't see any potential customers that would jusify a rebuild of the line. What am I missing.

[Dowagiac Train Dude]

Not sure where, but either a runaround track or to start rebuilding east towards Paw Paw

They already got a large Crissy grant last year to rebuild going east.

What would the purpose of rebuilding this line to Paw Paw be? I am looking at the maps and just don't see any potential customers that would jusify a rebuild of the line. What am I missing.

I believe that the Crissy grant was to rebuild the 11 miles or something like from Hartford to Lawrence. The only reason that they would do that is that they have a possible customer or two that are in Lawrence. I have no idea what businesses would need rail in Lawrence and I don’t believe they will be going all the way back to Paw Paw.

[LansingRailFan]

Y’all worried about some siding in Hartford and I’m staring at $1.8M on CN in Oakland County for track rehab and checking out booth rentals for Top Golf so I can golf and watch the darn train go by awww shucks naw

[Jim_c]

They already got a large Crissy grant last year to rebuild going east.

What would the purpose of rebuilding this line to Paw Paw be? I am looking at the maps and just don't see any potential customers that would jusify a rebuild of the line. What am I missing.

I believe that the Crissy grant was to rebuild the 11 miles or something like from Hartford to Lawton. The only reason that they would do that is that they have a possible customer or two that are in Lawton. I have no idea what businesses would need rail in Lawton and I don’t believe they will be going all the way back to Paw Paw.

Do you mean Lawrence? Lawton already has rail. It looks like Southwest Michigan Feed may have used rail at one time.

[Dowagiac Train Dude]

What would the purpose of rebuilding this line to Paw Paw be? I am looking at the maps and just don't see any potential customers that would jusify a rebuild of the line. What am I missing.

I believe that the Crissy grant was to rebuild the 11 miles or something like from Hartford to Lawton. The only reason that they would do that is that they have a possible customer or two that are in Lawton. I have no idea what businesses would need rail in Lawton and I don’t believe they will be going all the way back to Paw Paw.

Do you mean Lawrence? Lawton already has rail. It looks like Southwest Michigan Feed may have used rail at one time.

Yes, that is exactly what I meant. I should know better, I drive through Lawton past the Welch’s plant on my way to Decatur to drive by Cargill.

[GP30M4216]

Do we have any sense of what “track rehab and crossing improvements” are planned for CN in Oakland County? Something on the Holly/Amtrak related, or something on a secondary line I wonder…?

[MQT1223]

Do we have any sense of what “track rehab and crossing improvements” are planned for CN in Oakland County? Something on the Holly/Amtrak related, or something on a secondary line I wonder…?

More then likely to get the line to Lake Orion back in service, as its supposed to be shipping out of the GM plant again in the near future if the rumor mill is to be believed.

On a side note, there were crews working on the wood trestle over the Flat River next to King Milling today in Lowell already. Not sure what they are planning to do but I'm pretty sure this bridge is why no 6 axle locomotives have ever entered Lowell.

[MQT1223]

Not sure where, but either a runaround track or to start rebuilding east towards Paw Paw

They already got a large Crissy grant last year to rebuild going east.

What would the purpose of rebuilding this line to Paw Paw be? I am looking at the maps and just don't see any potential customers that would jusify a rebuild of the line. What am I missing.

One thing worth noting is WMI owns the entire grade into Paw Paw. Pioneer only got the track pulled.

[Dowagiac Train Dude]

I drove past the transload facility for WMI off of Red Arrow Highway today and noticed that they added a new spur that curves towards Red Arrow and dead ends right before the fence by the road across from the fair grounds. There were a few covered hoppers sitting on the spur today. The spur splits into two different tracks. I wonder if they used some of this grant money for that or did the transload facility use their own money to add that spur?

[LansingRailFan]

I just want them to go to Lake Cora again.