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Pete Bigelow · Canadian Mayors Share Rail Vision Outlined By Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, But Less Confident Of Funding
November 8th, 2011
Last week, Gov. Rick Snyder extolled the economic importance of Michigan’s rail industry. He believes it could transform Detroit into an international transportation hub that sits at the center of a line extending from St. Louis to Toronto or Montreal.
The mayors of four Canadian cities met today to discuss the development of just such a project on their side of the border.
Although they all support it, they’re less optimistic it could reach fruition. A study by the Canadian government last month concluded that high-speed rail between Windsor and Toronto is “not financially viable.” Estimated costs of that project have been approximately $20 billion, according to CBC News.
The mayors of Windsor, Sarnia, Chatham and London believe tell the news organization the study is short-sighted. They said such a rail line would actually make money – because of its connection to U.S. cities.
“Other countries, other competitive jurisdictions, are making the necessary investment because they’re saying the costs are certainly high, but the benefits far exceed the costs,” Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis said.
During remarks delivered at the Michigan Rail Summit in Lansing last week, Snyder said there would be economic benefits for both freight and passenger service. He said a rail-specific tunnel between Michigan and Canada would make it easier for container loads to pass international borders and that it would make it easier for the automotive industry to “do double-decking.”
On the passenger side, Michigan acquired 150 miles of track from Norfolk Southern last month along the Detroit-to-Chicago corridor, a stretch now slated for $200 million in upgrades that will prepare the line for enhanced-speed service.
U.S. Deputy Director of Transportation John Porcari said rail service between the two cities had been “severely degraded” in recent years and the track overhaul was just the start of upgrades that include new locomotives and cabin cars. Funds for those improvements come with a larger goal in mind.
“St. Louis to Toronto or Montreal, that’s the bigger picture,” Michigan Department of Transportation director Kirk Steudle said. “That’s really the objective of where we’re trying to go.”
