TRENTON – The Federal Railroad Administration awarded $73.4 million to the state Department of Transportation grant to complete a road grade separation between M-85 and Canadian National Railroad in the city, U.S. Rep Debbie Dingell (D-6th District) announced today.
The project will eliminate a dangerous crossing on one of Downriver’s busiest traffic corridors, where Canadian National freight tracks intersect with highway and pedestrian rights of way.
The project will improve safety and mobility by addressing issues related to blocked crossings, including reducing vehicle idling time, eliminating train-vehicle conflicts, improve emergency response times, and improve overall transportation efficiency.
Dingell has secured federal funding for other grade separation projects, including the Pennsylvania Road grade separation in 2022, and the Woodhaven rail crossing at Allen Road.
“This has been a top priority for me since coming to Congress and has been a critical issue needing attention Downriver for decades, and building the business case has finally gotten these critical funds,” Dingell said. “For too long, Downriver communities have been dealing with the inconveniences and risks of at-grade railroad i sntersections, including everything from slower commutes to life-threatening delays for first responders and people seeking critical care as a result of a blocked crossing.
“I’m proud to announce this federal funding that was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. The completion of a grade separation will make Downriver safer for all who live, work, and visit here. I will work with our state and local leaders as this project is carried out, from start to finish.”
“This federal grant will be transformational for Trenton and really the entire Downriver area,” Trenton Mayor Steve Rzeppa said. “Once the project is complete, obscene train delays will finally be a thing of the past for our community.
“Between emergency services en route to the hospital, children on buses on the way to school, or regular commuters on their way to work, we are all going to benefit from this massive federal investment in Downriver. I can’t thank Congresswoman Dingell enough for her years of fierce advocacy for us on this issue.”