LANSING – Construction of high-speed Detroit-Lansing and Detroit-Ann Arbor rail lines, using hydrogen batteries in conjunction with a technology used on only a few rail systems around the world, will be studied by a bipartisan task force announced on Monday.
The proposed $2.3 billion elevated rail line would not use government funding for its construction, but would need access to highway rights-of-way. In addition to passenger and freight traffic, the HyRail corridor would be used to distribute electricity, hydrogen, oxygen, fiber optics and potable water.
Michigan-based Interstate Traveler Company would build the MagLev system, the magnetic levitation technology used by the world’s fastest commercial passenger train between Shanghai, China and its airport. The hydrogen batteries would be solar-powered, a distinction from the conventional electric power source used in other countries’ systems, which backers say will make it less expensive to operate and be more environmentally friendly.
In addition to passenger fares, Justin Sutton of Whitmore Lake, president of the company that formed the new venture with other investors, said revenues would be raised with advertising at stations, rents from restaurants and shops at the stations, and the sale of power and hydrogen that would be carried through the system.
The venture would share equally any profits with the state and communities along the route.
Rep. Bill Rogers (R-Brighton) and Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) announced the task force, which includes Rep. Jimmy Womack (D-Detroit) and Rep. Mike Huckleberry (D-Greenville). All support the concept. Other task force members are to include engineers, transportation officials and business executives.
“This innovative rail system has tremendous potential for Michigan residents, and could be a major catalyst to strengthen our economy and create jobs,” Rogers said.
The task force will hold four public hearings over the next few months, with the first planned for April in Lansing, designed to cover ridership projections and safety issues. A second hearing in Ann Arbor would center on energy aspects; the third in Grand Rapids would center on environmental impacts and the last in Detroit would review funding.
This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com
a>>
