Michigan to get nearly $200M for high-speed rail

DETROIT (AP) -- The federal government is pumping nearly $200 million into high-speed passenger rail projects in Michigan. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says Monday the funds are part of a $2 billion investment stretching from the country's northeast corridor, through the Midwest and on to California. Lahood says the investments will help create jobs and spur economic development. About $195 million will be used to upgrade tracks and signals between Kalamazoo in southwestern Michigan to Dearborn, just outside Detroit. The work also will increase train speeds to 110 mph between Chicago and Detroit. Another $2.8 million will be used for an analysis of a new station in Ann Arbor. The money had been awarded to Florida, but that state's governor canceled the project. Published: Tue, May 10, 2011