Category Archives: Announcements

Announcements, Meetings

June 3: General Membership Meeting

Make your plans now to attend our face-to-face membership meeting at the District Library in Niles.

The meeting is scheduled for the afternoon to allow members to take the train. It is advisable to make your reservation soon.

Amtrak #353 arrives in Niles at 1:00 pm.
Amtrak # 352 leaves Niles at 4:52 pm.
Amtrak #365 arrives in Niles at 11:01 am
Amtrak #364 leaves Niles at 6:32 pm

The Library is in downtown Niles and is a 15 minute walk from the train station. Uber and Lyft services are available.

If you plan to drive to the meeting, please let Chuck Merckel know if you are available to meet the train and transport folks to the Library. Contact Chuck Merckel at crmerckel@aol.com  or phone 734-330-0281

Required Disclaimer  

The Niles District Library does not endorse or sponsor this event.

Announcements, Meetings

6/9 Webinar: Michigan’s Passenger Rail Progress

Michigan has made substantial investments in passenger-rail service, for increased operational efficiency and time savings on the five current, round-trip services that Amtrak operates in the state. Continuing to make improvements to these routes remains a priority for Michigan, as well as exploring the potential for increased or expanded service. This includes improvements to rail infrastructure South of Lake, which will allow for better passenger-rail operations and reliability. Michigan plans to continue partnering with other Midwest states and Amtrak to identify projects and improvements that will lead to better passenger-train service.

Speaker: Peter Anastor, Director of the Office of Rail, Michigan Department of Transportation

Register

Announcements, FYI, News

Mechanic Street to close on Feb. 27

Mechanic Street to close on Feb. 27
for railroad bridge construction work in Jackson 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will close Mechanic Street to resume improvements around a railroad bridge. This work is part of the Jackson Railroad Bridges Replacement Project to replace two century-old railroad bridges over Jackson and Mechanic streets. The project also includes replacement of the railroad grade crossing at Blackstone Street.  

The bridges are on a segment of railroad owned by MDOT within the federally designated high-speed rail corridor between Chicago and Detroit/Pontiac, supporting Amtrak passenger service and Norfolk Southern freight trains. The $32.9 million project is estimated to be completed in October 2023. 

County:
Jackson 

Roads/Streets:
Mechanic Street 

Closest city:
Jackson 

Start date:
7 a.m.
Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 

Completion date:
October 2023

Traffic restrictions:
Mechanic Street will close to traffic on Feb. 27 and Blackstone Street will close in early April. Jackson Street will remain open until the railroad bridges are replaced in August. Detroit and Van Buren streets will remain closed through the end of the project. Motorists should follow the posted detours. 

Safety benefit:
Replacing these bridges will ensure smooth and safe railroad operations while maintaining this vital part of the state’s economy. Closing streets during this type of work is necessary to provide the safest work area possible for crews and motorists. 

Announcements, Meetings

Feb 27: Toledo Rail Forum

Program

  • Derrick James, Director, Government Affairs, Amtrak, will give an update on Amtrak.
  • The featured speaker is Jim Coston, Executive Chairman, Corridor Rail Development. “Beyond Amtrak as a sole-source provider; how Ohio can create a public/private regional partnership for development and operation of passenger trains.”

Registration

The program and buffet luncheon are presented by the Northwest Ohio Passenger Rail Association (NOPRA). Tickets are $40 for NOPRA members, $50 for non-members, and $25 for students.

Visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/toledo-rail-forum-tickets-517910282597 to register. Online registration is preferred.

Click for mail-in option registration