Poor track conditions along the Amtrak Wolverine route in Michigan has caused service delays since June 2011 due to speed restrictions imposed by the host freight railroad, Norfolk Southern Railway. Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle announced Aug. 8, 2011, that a $4.2 million maintenance agreement with Norfolk Southern would begin soon and improvements completed by mid-September.

Track work being performed by Norfolk Southern Railway will affect Trains 350 and 353, on the dates shown below:

Aug. 17 and 18, 2011
Aug. 22 through Aug. 25, 2011
Aug. 29 through Sept. 1, 2011
Sept. 5 through Sept. 8, 2011

Eastbound Train 350, originating in Chicago, will terminate at Jackson. Passengers will be provided motorcoach service to Pontiac and all intermediate stations.

Westbound Train 353, which normally originates at Pontiac, will originate at Jackson. Passengers will be provided motorcoach service between Pontiac, Jackson and all intermediate stations.

The work to be done by Norfolk Southern includes replacing ties, smoothing the track, and improving grade crossings on a 135-mile section between Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo. Train speeds of 60 mph will be restored on this segment, in preparation for even higher speeds in years to follow.