[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6260463,"mediaKeyId","3130874-1f5295e7df4e6b485af1ff5d3a7c06f6","parentId",3130874,"title","MDOT and rail industry outline freight-rail programs, safety data and grade‑separation needs","audioSeconds",1600,"startMs",879000,"endMs",2479000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3130874-1f5295e7df4e6b485af1ff5d3a7c06f6&start=879&end=2479","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3130874-1f5295e7df4e6b485af1ff5d3a7c06f6/thumbnail_879000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260463/Michigan/MDOT-and-rail-industry-outline-freight-rail-programs-safety-data-and-gradeseparation-needs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260463-26d869798e43576002627237cf2b361e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445627&Signature=QJ~wRgxc02M0je6meMGl81~2N~hYqR~q6CfuZT1DnRS6wlAKhiEcop7mIR4lWTTWC3TlyfM9spMsycMsv1XKFV9OqVDRnHla9lG4fIN9jF4f-8kOafTZqn0-jqGTiI3UC28vANa61mIHObDzWW~Sq0g5syLnpuGnOGo4rvl-btJM36uKbuVazZaE3ZEVrExQMBTBj~9p2gKfeZLqCi8x0pkGsAHRlK88GrbZDUCegcxVNg-DGZa~q2z2vwz0PJgtk69ieXxiJfh87b2OxWxfzu9y4jMH9PZR47wHBLpyZuB~Ds1ElD1uMpgokQZcdpEnTqhC2oHpQztAqZvDntl1Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Michigan House of Representatives","date","2025-04-23T00:00:00Z","article","The Subcommittee on Appropriations — Transportation heard an overview of Michigan’s freight rail network and state grant programs on Oct. 12 from Peter Anister, director of rail at the Michigan Department of Transportation, and John Cool, president of the Michigan Railroads Association.

Anister said Michigan has about 3,600 miles of railroad track and that the state owns roughly 665 of those miles. “We have about 3,600 miles of rail in Michigan, and primarily that rail is owned by private railroads. Michigan, we do own about 665 miles of that 3,600 miles of rail,” Anister said.

Why it matters: Committee members heard that rail moves large tonnages of freight, serves auto manufacturers and other major industries, reduces truck traffic and that state and federal grant programs are central to improving rail capacity and safety.

Anister described two MDOT programs that provide state support: the Freight Economic Development Program (FEDP), which can fund up to 50% of shipper-side rail infrastructure such as turnouts and spurs and which MDOT said has supported about 40 projects since fiscal 2020 and generated an estimated 25,000 new carloads per year; and the Michigan Rail Enhancement Grant Program, launched with funding in FY 2023, which can cover up to 70% of project cost and had awarded 34 projects that leveraged about $87,000,000 in private investment.

Anister cited a recent FEDP example in Holland where a roughly $1,000,000 grant helped a box manufacturer install a direct rail connection, creating 58 jobs and about 450 new rail carloads per year. He said federal discretionary grants are also important; MDOT and private railroads have both successfully applied for competitive federal funding to support projects such as the Livernois Yard Enhancement in Detroit.

John Cool summarized safety trends and industry investments. Citing Federal Railroad Administration data, he said derailments per million train miles have fallen about 40% over 20 years and that hazmat accident rates have declined about 80% since 2005. “More than 99.99% of all hazmat carloads shipped in this country arrive accident release free,” Cool said.

Cool urged additional funding for two local programs discussed with the committee: the Surface Program for crossing repairs (historically funded at $3,000,000 per year, with a one-time $2,000,000 addition in the current budget to $5,000,000 total) and the grade-separation program established in law in recent years (he said $10,000,000 and $5,000,000 deposits have been made to that program). He asked lawmakers to consider continued state contributions to crossing and grade-separation projects that frequently require layered funding from local, state, federal and railroad sources.

Committee members asked several operational questions. Anister said the state’s owned corridors operate under agreements with private railroads that allow the railroad to operate and generate revenue while assuming maintenance responsibility; MDOT receives some compensation under those agreements. He also said the Office of Rail has budget authorization for 41 FTEs, although not all positions are filled, and that most rail program funding is supported from the Comprehensive Transportation Fund.

Ending: Members asked for ongoing collaboration among MDOT, railroads and local road authorities to prioritize crossings and separations. No legislative action was taken at the hearing; routine minutes were adopted by unanimous consent.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations - State and Local Transportation | Wednesday, April 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","MDOT and the Michigan Railroads Association briefed the committee on the state's 3,600-mile freight network, grant programs (FEDP, Rail Enhancement), federal discretionary grants, safety trends and local-grade separation funding needs; MDOT said it owns about 665 miles of rail and the Office of Rail has authorization for 41 FTEs.","taxTitle","Appropriations - Transportation, Appropriations, House of Representative, Committees\t\t\t\t\t, Legislative, Michigan","taxId",30769,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":44,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260467,"Michigan outlines maritime strategy, spotlights port grant program and limited state ownership",473,406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3130874-1f5295e7df4e6b485af1ff5d3a7c06f6&start=406&end=879","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3130874-1f5295e7df4e6b485af1ff5d3a7c06f6/thumbnail_406000.jpg","/articles/6260467/Michigan/Michigan-outlines-maritime-strategy-spotlights-port-grant-program-and-limited-state-ownership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260467-61f6899b24b1d8c64e317c457f568374/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445627&Signature=O8DMGYFxp1vled51D03zH6kYF31wjXlRLlE9GS3JCT8JAU2vLOwFh2bYc3ULabD3ZoryncGQWmbUQMuA8owW~yM9ipjb7FEXX5pt9sYPNEcJStedql2QoJG~D5CTIaMEDnXtfEy8G1o3DZXG34FQf2aUFQjVsP3DGpKofYgIXRSpkey6TnYbIHiI6AKh2OKvBBYAJqgnWxwkaJmXeIC6QBefXOjZqlzyXcKpQq5C8Kq5JKJ4obVCGrFdemOiAvoqsV8a2nBbtakuRiGdaWQujEFXDBxw3Mxh0O4XxpjFokHzu89YdI2Tu1mkwow~Ovt9mPd6Akk8QLQ1do6n2WDS6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Subcommittee on Appropriations — Transportation heard an overview of Michigan’s maritime ports on Oct. 12, when Alicia Wolf, freight policy specialist with the Michigan Department of Transportation, told members the state’s 33 active cargo ports handle “approximately 46,100,000 tons of cargo annually” and that waterborne commerce accounts for about 9% of the state’s freight tonnage and about 1% of freight value.

Wolf said the maritime system is a public–private partnership: the federal government generally maintains navigation channels while private operators provide terminals, dredging and vessels. “The ports in Michigan handle approximately 46,100,000 tons of cargo annually,” Wolf said.

Why it matters: Members of the subcommittee — which controls parts of the state budget — heard that Michigan’s ports carry high-weight, bulk commodities such as salt, stone, coal and limestone and that state and federal grants are the primary public funding sources to improve port infrastructure.

Wolf described a Michigan Maritime and Port Facility Assistance Grant Program created by Senate Bill 744 (2022) and funded with a one-time $5,000,000 appropriation in fiscal 2024. The department awarded five maritime projects from that fund, she said, and those awards helped leverage more than $25,000,000 in additional investment. Two of the largest awards cited were for an innovation terminal at the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority and a roll-on/roll-off dock at the Port of Monroe.

Wolf told the panel the Port Infrastructure Development Program administered by the federal Maritime Administration (MARAD) is the main federal grant source for ports, and advocates have urged that more MARAD dollars be directed to Great Lakes ports. “When they looked at the overall life of that program over the last five years, only 8% of those funds went to Great Lakes ports,” she said.

On state ownership and budgets, Wolf said MDOT does not own or operate Michigan ports. “As MDOT, we do not own or operate any of the ports in the state of Michigan,” she said. The only exception MDOT funds is a 50% capital and operating contribution to the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority; Wolf said MDOT’s share is $200,000. She also said she is the only MDOT staff member whose position is dedicated solely to maritime work, though other MDOT units touch maritime issues.

Committee members pressed for additional detail on funding sources and ownership. Wolf said ports also pursue grants from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). She said the state is working with MEDC and EGLE and has contracted the University of Michigan to help develop a Michigan maritime strategy; MDOT convenes a maritime work group for stakeholder coordination.

The presentation noted continued national interest in the new Soo Locks and called federal funding for that project “critically important” to the state and national economy.

Ending: Committee members asked MDOT to return with additional detail and stakeholder presenters who use maritime shipping. No formal policy vote was taken; the committee approved routine minutes and adjourned by unanimous consent.","MDOT staff told the House subcommittee Michigan has 33 active cargo ports, a new state maritime strategy is underway and a one-time $5 million grant fund from fiscal 2024 awarded five projects; the department said it does not own or operate ports except limited support to the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority.","actionData","errors"]

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MDOT and rail industry outline freight-rail programs, safety data and grade‑separation needs

Michigan outlines maritime strategy, spotlights port grant program and limited state ownership