Trains to Detroit will be faster, have more room with high(er) speed rail money Florida rejected

Medill Reports ^ | 5-12-11 | Austin B. Smith

[dynachrome]

One of the projects to be funded with the money Florida rejected will be to transform 135 miles of Amtrak’s Wolverine route, which runs between Chicago and Detroit, into a higher-speed rail line, according to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

This improvement, which will cost $196.5 million, will be paid for by the federal government. Trains will be able to reach speeds up to 110 mph, compared with their current top speed of 79 mph. The trip, which currently takes more than 5 hours, is expected to be more than 30 minutes shorter.

“This is not true high-speed rail by traditional definition, but it is improved,” said Megan Owens, executive director of Transit Riders United. She said a true high-speed rail, such as the one being proposed on the Los Angeles-San Francisco corridor, is far more costly.

Owens said she views the money as an investment. “Doing this now is worthwhile and will be a very substantial improvement in travel and [true high-speed is] not realistic at this point in the foreseeable future.”

[redshawk]

Wow, that pic of the station says alot. Such a wonderful looking building. Too bad it appears destroyed. Oh well, that's what you get in DetROIT. What a shame. Dang socialism killed a once great city.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

cripplecreek explains why, in post #35. Most of the way there or back, the train won't be able to travel anywhere near top speed. Even Reardon metal wouldn't help much.

[bikerman]

Trains will be up on cement blocks in a week.

[MamaDearest]

I read a study recently that stated that the adult population of Detroit was 47% functionally illiterate.

Neighboring Toledo appears to be following in Detroit's path:

You can help end illiteracy (literacy Toledo, Ohio)

39,000 adults - 8.4% of the adult population in the immediate Toledo area - read at the 4th grade level or below.

[redshawk]

Years ago in ST. Louis, they built a rail system that basically connect the downtown with the airport. (It also was expanded eastward into western Illinois). Government project of course. Well, If I recall correctly, the project came in more than twice the government budget. (I could tell you stories about ‘minority participation’ and the fiasco that that created.)

In short, this 200M waste of money will end up costing taxpayers over 500M. Mark my word and remember this post.

Anyone remember the ‘bigDig’ in Boston?

[cripplecreek]

Looking at the bird’s eye view of all the little towns along the line and I see another problem.

Almost every one of those little towns has one historic building that the locals have poured money, time and care into. They are the old train depots that sit right up against the track and the locals aren’t likely to give them up without a fight.

That $200 million isn’t even a downpayment on what the true cost will be.

[redshawk]

In Japan, the bullet trains run on their own rails and are elevated above the streets and countryside. Thus, eliminating pedestrian or vehicular interaction. Not saying that is proposed for deet-ROIT; however, it should be.

[redshawk]

Yep, my family moved out the dee-tROIT when the tanks came rolling into the city in the late ‘60’s. Went back to bury a family member in 2000, and I can verify, the city is dead. I will never visit again. The democRATS destroyed a great city/ state.

[calex59]

This improvement, which will cost $196.5 million, will be paid for by the federal government.

How stupid can one get. The feds don't have any money, this will be paid for with taxpayer money. There is no such thing as government money.

[Signalman]

Oh yeah, the folks are lined up for miles waitin’ to go to Detroit!/sarc

[E. Pluribus Unum]

People actually go to Detroit?

[Indy Pendance]

LOL! A “speedy” train to Chicago? Ballerina land. They deserve each other.

[PogySailor]

I predict that after burning through at least 4X the projected cost over 2X the time predicted, there will still be no high speed rail in place.

[dsrtsage]

Thankfully, they have finally shut our detroit plant down, so I will never have to go to that crapopolis again. However, when I did have to go there, I certainly did not want to get there any faster. I would have taken mule train from Nevada if I could have.

[Indy Pendance]

I drive the Chicago-Detroit route often. I’ll continue to drive, thank you. It’s only a couple hours. These choo-choo train, car speed rail advocates are commies.

Thank God Scott Walker was able to derail this train in Wisconsin BEFORE TAKING OFFICE!!!!!!!!

Now the baby office of the feds is mad at us and denying Wisconsin fed help for disaster relief. No problem, we’ll solve our own problems. They even want citizens to pay back a million dollars from relief. Good grief.

Wisconsin is their number one target. We’re getting it from all ends, and, Conservatives are WINNING!

Every one out there, Resist the commies! You can win!

[MediaMole]

Who wants to go to Detroit?

Any team in the American league. ...especially if they are mired in a losing streak.

[Indy Pendance]

You know, 15 years ago, I was a frequent flyer between Milwaukee-Detroit. The auto industry is dead there. It's a freaking joke.

My best friend of 30 years lives in the suburbs, a born resident of Detroit 50 years ago. NO ONE OF VALUE LIVES IN DETROIT.

[cripplecreek]

Tigers are in second place and so far have a 5 game winning streak going.

[GOPJ]

Florida was smart to reject the 'free' money. With very rare exception high speed rail loses money ... There might be a route or two in Japan that makes money - that's about it.

Detroit can have it - they'll have to maintain it when the free money ends... I wish 'em luck...

[KC Burke]

and takes 4 hrs 28 minutes to drive...

On a very good day only or after midnight.