Title
Resolution to Approve an Agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for the East Medical Center Drive Bridge
Memorandum
Attached for your review and consideration for approval is an agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for the East Medical Center Drive Bridge to occupy the railroad right of way.
The East Medical Center Drive Bridge is a grade separation structure which was originally constructed in 1982 and carries a four-lane road over the Amtrak Michigan line which operates on MDOT railroad tracks. The East Medical Center Drive Bridge serves as the primary connection allowing motorized and nonmotorized traffic to access the University of Michigan Medical Center, its services, as well as connecting to area neighborhoods.
In 2021, the bridge was in poor condition and required rehabilitation work to return it to a state of good repair, and the University of Michigan(University) desired to widen the bridge to improve access to and from the medical center. To address these needs and prolong the bridge’s life span, the City and University collaborated on and completed the East Medical Center Bridge Rehabilitation and Widening Project which included extensive rehabilitation measures on the bridge, replacement of its piers, widening the bridge deck which required extensions to existing bridge abutments located in the MDOT railroad right of way, resurfacing the bridge, and other improvements.
Because the Project widened the bridge and extended its abutments within the railroad right of way, the proposed agreement is required under the Michigan Railroad Code of 1993, specifically MCL 462.319.
The State of Michigan owns the railroad right of way and tracks that run under the East Medical Center Drive Bridge. By agreement, the State delegates certain rights to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for passenger train operations, and as such Amtrak is also an affected railroad under MCL 462.319 and is a party to the agreement.
The City and its construction contractor obtained permits from and entered into the required agreements to allow the construction activities within the railroad right of way and to allow the Project to be constructed. The Project was completed in 2025 with the University contributing financially pursuant to a separate cost-allocation agreement (R-24-052).
The proposed agreement with MDOT and Amtrak allows the East Medical Center Drive Bridge, as rehabilitated and widened by the Project, to occupy and be maintained within the railroad right of way. The agreement complies with the requirements of MCL 462.319, and staff recommends approval.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: This Project was planned for and included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and funds were available in the applicable Capital Budgets. The University also contributed toward the Project cost under a separate cost allocation agreement. This agreement has no budgetary impacts.
Staff
Prepared by: Tim Wilhelm, Deputy City Attorney
Reviewed by: Nicholas Hutchinson, City Engineer
Reviewed by: Jordan Roberts, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The East Medical Center Drive Bridge was in poor condition and required rehabilitation work to return it to a state of good repair;
Whereas, The City and University of Michigan collaborated to design and construct the East Medical Center Drive Bridge Rehabilitation and Widening Project to advance their respective interests and to ensure continued and improved motorized and nonmotorized access to and from the University of Michigan Medical Center;
Whereas, The Project is now complete, and State law, MCL 462.319, requires that the City, as road authority, enter into an agreement with the affected railroads for the Project;
Whereas, MDOT owns the railroad right of way and tracks under the East Medical Center Drive Bridge and is an affected railroad, and Amtrak, as the passenger rail operator, is also an affected railroad;
Whereas, The proposed agreement with the MDOT and Amtrak allows the East Medical Center Drive Bridge, as rehabilitated and widened by the Project, to occupy and be maintained within the railroad right of way.
Whereas, The proposed agreement is acceptable to MDOT and Amtrak, complies with the requirements of MCL 462.319, and staff recommends approval;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves the attached agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for the East Medical Center Drive Bridge Rehabilitation and Widening Project to occupy the railroad right of way;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and Clerk are authorized and directed to execute the contract after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, that the City Administrator is authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.