Apr 06, 2023
Romulus, Mich. – Detroit Region Aerotropolis (Aerotropolis) Chairman David Glaab joined Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight and the Aerotropolis Board of Directors to announce that Aerotropolis will receive $865,775 to begin preliminary geotechnical and engineering work for Pennsylvania Road grade separation.
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell led the effort to secure $865,775 for Pennsylvania Road grade separation through the Federal Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Community Project Funding process.
Pennsylvania Road borders the City of Romulus and Huron Township, Michigan, located in the 12th and 13th Congressional Districts. The CSX rail crossing at Pennsylvania Road is oftentimes blocked to roadway traffic which led the communities to seek federal funding assistance for a grade separation.
Public safety response times to the areas west of the CSX tracks can vary significantly if the crossing is blocked with a train. Delays are typically encountered as far as Eureka Road (one mile north of Pennsylvania Road) from moving trains will be 2 to 3 minutes and stopped trains can be significantly longer. The only other options are to wait for the train to move, which may be a long delay, or to turn the emergency vehicles around on the street, a difficult maneuver for a large vehicle.
“Securing this grant is a critical step to achieving a permanent solution to the public safety and transportation quandary our communities face every day,” responded David Glaab, Supervisor of Huron Township and Chairman of the Board at Aerotropolis.
Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight was very encouraged by the recent funding announcement. “The Government Accountability Office acknowledges that railroads run longer trains to “increase efficiencies, such as fuel efficiency, and decrease costs by reducing the number of train crew and other costs, but longer trains block multiple crossings in Romulus and Huron Township, creating safety risks by causing emergency response delays and exacerbating dangerous motorist and pedestrian behavior attempting to find and cross an open crossing.”
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell led this effort to secure federal funding with a focus on public safety. “The Pennsylvania Road Grade Separation will improve response time for emergency vehicles by preventing stoppages due to rail crossings, increase public safety, and help keep pedestrians and motorists on the move. I’m proud to have secured this federal funding to keep our roads running smoothly and ensure our first responders can do their jobs without delay.” Congresswoman Debbie Dingell added.
About Detroit Region Aerotropolis
The Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corporation is a four-community, two-county public-private economic development partnership driving corporate expansion and new investment around Detroit Metro and Willow Run Airports. With two world class airports, access to three major interstates, and five Class-A rail lines, the Detroit Region Aerotropolis is a prime location for global companies to build, expand, or develop. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit https://www.detroitaero.org/. Join the conversation on: LinkedIn, and Twitter.
