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 (Amtra...
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