Where it started
2009
The Grand Vision
The Grand Vision was a citizen-led, long-term plan to guide land use, transportation, and economic development in northwest Lower Michigan. The concept of connecting the region by passenger rail emerged from this process and sparked further exploration of the idea by Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities.
2018
Initial Feasibility Study Completed
Groundwork, based in Traverse City, partnered with the local bus transit agency, Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA), to complete an initial Ridership Feasibility and Cost Estimate Study to explore the potential for passenger rail between Southeast and northwest Lower Michigan.
2021 - 2022
$2.3M in Planning Grant Dollars
To advance the project beyond the initial feasibility study, the project secured $1 million from Michigan’s Labor and Economic Opportunity office in 2021. The following year, Groundwork partnered with the Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority (WexExpress), and they were awarded a $1.3 Million RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Where we’re at
2025
Advanced Study Underway
With the awarded State and Federal grant funds, a detailed study explored what it would take to bring passenger rail service to the region. The study looked at everything from track conditions and route options to travel demand and cost estimates. Planners also outlined how the service could be managed and implemented if the project moves forward.
2026
The service planning study wrapped up this summer.
The final study report can be found on the website’s Library page.
Where we’re going
Beyond 2026
Now that the study is complete, the project team plans to apply for the next round of the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor ID Program, which is a national effort to move promising passenger rail projects closer to becoming reality.