After decades without a long-term solution for blocked rail crossings, the House passed House Bill 5861, which would solve some of our most critical transportation issues by setting up a statewide fund to build grade separations at the most troublesome rail crossings across our state. 

 

 

Since taking office in 2016, finding a permanent solution to our region’s train problems has been one of my top priorities. While solving the issue at Allen Road in Woodhaven was a huge victory for our Downriver community, the fact of the matter is there are so many other crossings like Allen Road across our region and our state, including issues in New Boston and Trenton.

 

Based on a successful program in Indiana, HB 5861 was a collaborative effort between myself and Rep. Jason Sheppard from Monroe, and after years of hard work and negotiations, I’m proud to say that it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. 

 

Under the plan, municipalities would apply for state funding and would put up 20 percent of the cost while the state would supply the other 80 percent from the local grade separation fund for approved priority projects. This helps pave the way for much-needed projects that otherwise wouldn’t be realistic due to cost. 

 

By creating this statewide grade separation fund, we will make our communities safer, provide easier routes to schools and hospitals, and unlock economic opportunity for our region.

 

Our work won’t be complete this legislative session, and we face a tough re-election campaign in the coming months. Can you chip in $10 to help send me back to Lansing to continue fighting for progress in our Downriver community?

 

We still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do to make sure no one is ever late to work, stuck in traffic, or put in danger because of blocked train crossings, but yesterday’s vote was a big step in the right direction, and I promise I’ll never stop fighting to make this vision a reality. 

 

Thanks for always believing in us, 

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