LANSING – Gov. Jennifer Granholm joined with other Midwest governors meeting in Chicago Monday to sign an agreement pledging to help bring high speed rail to the region.
Granholm signed a memorandum of understanding that will have Michigan and seven other Midwest states work to help finance the Midwest Corridor. The group is hoping the region will capture at least part of $8 billion the federal government is planning to spend on high-speed rail development.
The plan is designed to connect cities in the region with frequent, “reliable” high-speed rail along with conventional passenger rail service.
The proposed corridor includes a Pontiac-Detroit-Chicago line. The entire Midwest Corridor is modeled after the national high-speed rail system that President Barack Obama hopes to see built.
In a statement, Granholm said: “The Midwest Corridor is a one of a kind partnership that will create jobs for Michigan workers, enhance transportation options for citizens, and provide significant economic development opportunities for communities.”
The agreement was signed at a summit of the regional governors in Chicago, organized by that state’s governor.
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