[LMich]

Like many other rail advocates, I queston how serious she is about rail when she's cutting subsidies for existing lines, which, BTW, have become increasingly popular since 2003:

Granholm: State applying for funds to build high-speed rail

Valerie Olander / The Detroit News

August 24, 2009

Dearborn -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced today the state is applying for up to $800 million in federal stimulus money for part of a high-speed rail line between Detroit and Chicago.

Michigan, eight other Midwest states and Chicago are seeking $3.2 billion dollars in federal money to create a Midwest Regional Rail Initiative.

Michigan's $800 million would be used for track improvements and train station renovations, creating as many as 10,000 jobs long-term, Granholm said.

Granholm made the announcement today with local and federal lawmakers in Dearborn, a stop on the proposed Pontiac-Detroit-Chicago line.

"Michigan could have the opportunity to build rail cars (and engines)," she said. Most rail cars are built in Spain, Japan and Ontario.

An application will be filed Oct. 2 to compete with other Midwest states for the manufacturing jobs, she said.

The funding isn't guaranteed. Michigan's application for $800 million is among $102 billion in federal recovery funds requested for projects across the country, including projects on the East and West coasts, she said.

The state is expected to receive confirmation for the funding in September or October, Kurt Stuedle, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation said.

"We are committed to bringing high-speed rail service to Michigan because of the benefit it will have for citizens," Granholm said. "High-speed rail will enhance our transportation system, create jobs and spur economic development and help protect our environment."

"We want to shorten the time it takes to travel from Detroit to Chicago to four hours and increase the frequency of that trip to nine times a day."

The Democratic governor has proposed trimming spending by 22 percent for Amtrak service in the state. Funding would drop by half starting in October under a GOP plan.

She said in a radio address Friday that high-speed rail would give state residents another option for business and recreational trips.

volander@detnews.com (734) 462-2203 The Associated Press contributed.