Title
Resolution to Support Michigan High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Programs
Memorandum
The attached resolution expresses the City of Ann Arbor’s support for the State of Michigan to develop and fund a comprehensive system of high-speed rail and intercity Passenger Rail. The Michigan Municipal League (MML) has requested such a resolution from the City and other communities to help support the continued investment in this important public transportation program area.
The Michigan Municipal League is assisting the State’s efforts by engaging the communities along the three existing Amtrak routes to become more involved in and express their support for these fundamentally import railroad initiatives. The purpose of this resolution is to express the City of Ann Arbor’s support for development of High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail in Michigan and our interest in participating in a Municipal Rail Caucus.
As a first step in their involvement, MML is demonstrating broad community support for the MI Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) new application for funding from the $2.5 billion second round of federal high-speed rail grants that were announced at the end of June and due by August. The MML will compile a set of local government resolutions of support from communities throughout the State and provide it to MDOT for their application to be submitted to the federal Rail Administration.
Other activities the MML lead caucus might play include working with other organizations and MDOT as the state prepares its new statewide rail plan as required by the federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. This process, recently begun, will take off in earnest later this fall. Additionally, a coordinated effort from communities that understand and support rail investments would prove extremely valuable in state budget discussions on continuing Amtrak funding support in the state budget. The caucus can also support new legislation th...
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