Federal Funding Approved for New Dearborn Train Station

looks to be on the fast track.

The Federal Railroad Administration, acting through the Michigan Department of Transportation, has invested more than $28 million to build a new train station in Dearborn, according to press releases Friday from Rep. John D. Dingell and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The funding—$28,204,450, to be exact—will allow Dearborn to consolidate the city’s two passenger rail stations into a new station in the western downtown area that would serve as a major link in a proposed commuter rail system between Ann Arbor and Detroit.

The new facility also would be a part of a future high-speed rail corridor, according to hsrupdates.com.

Both Dingell and Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly praised the announcement.

“This is such an exciting day for the City of Dearborn and ,” Dingell said in a press release. “Improving passenger rail service is something I have long supported, and I look forward to helping this project succeed. Modernizing rail travel will help attract small business development, increase job growth, and enhance the livelihood of communities and business, by helping to expedite the time and efficiency of people and goods getting from point A to point B.

"The City of Dearborn and its economy will reap the benefits of this investment for many years.”

“This project is part of a larger strategy to increase the number of potential customers coming to Dearborn every day," added O'Reilly in the press release issued by Dingell's office. "Increasing the customer base sustains existing businesses and attracts new activity and investment."

O'Reilly said a large thanks is due to Dingell, as well as Sen. Debbie Stabenow, The Henry Ford President Patricia Mooradian, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

"With their ongoing help, Dearborn will be a vital stop on a growing and prospering transportation corridor,” O'Reilly said.

Rep. George T. Darany added his congratulations on the future station via press release on Friday as well.

"Our community will be at the forefront of creating a vital transportation network in Michigan," Darany said. "This connection will help attract new businesses, visitors, and job opportunities in Dearborn and will certainly provide substantial benefits for years to come."