NILES, Mich. (AP) - Two rail transportation advocacy groups say double-tracking the entire roughly 300 miles of an Amtrak line from Chicago to Detroit is the best way to get more frequent and faster trips between the two cities.
The idea is being advocated by the Midwest Association of Railroad Passengers and Midwest High Speed Rail Association. The South Bend Tribune reports the groups are seeking public support throughout Michigan for the proposal, beginning with a community meeting Wednesday in the southwestern Michigan city of Niles.
The groups want the Michigan Department of Transportation to include double-tracking in plans for upgrades to the train route aimed at increasing reliability, reducing travel times and adding trips. The department isn't looking at double-tracking the entire route at this point.
Advocate Rick Harnish said about 160 miles of track on the route wouldn't be double-tracked.