From the Heritage Newspapers
The United States planned and built a national interstate highway system that transformed the nation’s social and economic structure. It took nearly 50 years to accomplish this task. Despite massive federal investments since that time, today segments of the highway system handle volumes of traffic that exceed capacity and are near the end of their useful life.
Our current transportation network suffers from increasing congestion, bottlenecks and poor structural conditions. Roads over capacity, bridges with restricted load capacity, backed up airport runways and missing non-motorized infrastructure. Clamoring for relief, the public is backing a push for high-speed and commuter rail as an alternative mode of transportation.
Improved regional, intercity, and interstate passenger rail service could provide an important boost to Michigan’s tattered economy by making the state a more attractive place to invest, live and do business. This effort is also able to reinvigorate the state’s manufacturing base to supply equipment for high-speed rail. The planned Midwest rail system improvements would provide businesspeople in Detroit, college students in Ann Arbor and Lansing, and residents in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek a direct and convenient connection with Chicago and each other.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan needs approximately $400 million in capital improvements to upgrade our rail infrastructure from the Detroit-Pontiac area to Kalamazoo. Further, this request is smaller than other states’ because the infrastructure exists. MDOT estimates they could complete the upgrades in fewer than 24 months.
Policy and transportation planners across the globe have ranked the Detroit-to-Chicago rail corridor as the most viable route outside of the East and West Coast. Michigan alone is in the position of doing high-speed rail faster more cost-effectively than any other region. This first-in-nation status would attract business investment and tourism.
This possibility has allowed the world of politics to be set aside. For the first time in recent memory, Republicans, Democrats, Realtors, unions and the chambers of commerce all understand the economic benefit of this opportunity. Workers see thousands of good paying green jobs, businesses tout the potential for vast economic growth, Realtors predict stabilized neighborhoods and increasing home values, and the public benefits from a faster, easier way to travel.
Politicians as diverse as Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Congressman Mike Rogers R-8th District, have championed the huge potential economic benefits of high-speed rail in Michigan. If the Michigan Legislature agrees to fund the 20 percent match necessary to complete this project, in 2012, Detroit to Chicago will be the first corridor in the nation to brag that we have achieved high-speed rail status from city to city.
The state needs to provide adequate funding for its entire infrastructure before it becomes too expensive to fix. Michigan must invest in maintaining its roads and bridges and invest in transit service and non-motorized infrastructure improvements. Transportation is the backbone of the economy, quality of life and the link to an improved future for Michigan.
Michigan has ranked near the bottom of nearly every economic indicator for too long. High-speed rail is a game changer for us — an opportunity to lead. If you are interested in new manufacturing jobs in Michigan, a more diverse economy, 21st century travel modes, I recommend you urge your local and congressional leaders to support the Michigan Department of Transportation to improve and expand passenger rail service across our state.
Source: http://www.heritage.com/articles/2010/10/02/opinion/doc4ca773c74ae67594588874.txt