DEARBORN, Mich. – Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo today joined Senator Carl Levin and Congressman John Dingell to break ground on a new $28.2 million federally-funded intermodal train and bus station that will help revitalize downtown Dearborn and provide greater connectivity for residents throughout the region.

The project will consolidate Dearborn’s two passenger rail facilities into a pedestrian-friendly, intermodal station in the West Downtown section of the city, supporting President Obama’s vision to create livable cities by providing greater access to passenger rail service.

“When we invest in transportation, we’re not only preparing our infrastructure to meet the demands of moving a growing population, but strengthening our economy as well,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The new station will serve local residents and students at the University of Michigan–Dearborn and Henry Ford Community College and also accommodate tourists via a new pedestrian overpass at the Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village, Dearborn’s largest tourist attraction with 1.7 million visitors every year.  The intermodal facility will be designed for the planned Ann Arbor–Detroit commuter rail as well as future high-speed intercity passenger rail service.  It will also accommodate city, regional and intercity bus systems; local and tourist shuttles; bicycle and greenway linkages; and, auto, taxi, and limousine connections to Detroit International Airport. 

“This new Intermodal Station will serve as Dearborn’s gateway to a modern 110 mile per hour regional passenger rail system,” said Administrator Szabo.  “By 2015, nearly 80 percent of the Chicago-Detroit corridor will see sustained speeds of 110 MPH – with all new high-performance equipment – allowing travelers to check email, read or relax while speeding past cars on the interstate.  This new facility will provide seamless connections from rail to other transportation options, providing a boon to tourists, students and business travelers alike.”    

The new Dearborn station will continue to serve Amtrak’s Wolverine passenger rail service, which provides three round trips daily between Pontiac, Mich., and Chicago, Ill.  In 2010, Dearborn’s current station ranked third in Amtrak ridership in Michigan with more than 82,000 travelers.

The Chicago to Detroit line is part of the Midwest Regional Rail Network, a nine state plan to connect the 40 most populated cities in the Midwest with fast, frequent and affordable passenger rail service. 

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and its 32 state partners are making great progress on High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program projects across the country.  With $10.1 billion in federal funding, they’re moving forward with 154 projects, laying the foundation for a 21st century passenger rail network.