Passenger Rail Still on Track, Awaiting Grant

"WALLY", the proposed Washtenaw/Livingston commuter train that will link Livingston County to Ann Arbor is still on track, and awaiting a $1 million federal grant. The 27-mile line is expected to have stops in Howell, Chilson Road at Brighton Road in Genoa Township, the old village of Hamburg, Whitmore Lake and Ann Arbor. It will have both express and five-stop service.

The rail project is getting wide support from local government officals and state legislators. It has already received a three-year commitment from the University of Michigan and Environmental Protection Agency to pay fares for employees that use the train.

Michael Cicchella, the Northfield Township supervisor, was quoted as saying "If the commuter train could get 1,700 people off US-23, it would be like adding a lane to the highway".

Eventually Cicchella would even like the passenger rail to extend even further to Toledo and Traverse City and Petoskey.

We are excited about this great service coming to our county, and what it could mean for the commuters in our area.