MARK SCHAUER suncomuret scmcu.tune Congress of the United States TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE House of Representatives Washington, BC 20515-2207 September 24, 2010 Mr. Robert Letteney Deputy Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 fax: (202) 366-3675 Re: Michigan Department of Transportation’s Application for FY 2010 HSIPR Funding Dear Mr. Letteney: Iam writing to share with you these additional letters of support from leaders across my state for the application submitted by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for FY 2010 High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) funding: A letter of support signed by 61 Michigan state legislators; A resolution of support from the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS); A resolution of support from the City of Saline; A resolution of support from Superior Charter Township; A letter of support from Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center in Battle Creek; A letter of support from two local condominium associations. Additionally, I am including for your reference a copy of my original letter of support for this project which was included with the State of Michigan's application, ‘Thank you for your time and consideration of Michigan’s application. This project is very important to my congressional district and the state of Michigan. Please feel free to contact me or Lisa Dedden Cooper in my office at 517-780-9075 if you have any questions or require further information. 1 would also be grateful if you would keep my district office informed of the progress of this application either by fax to 517-780-9081, or by U.S. mail addressed to Congressman Mark Schauer, atin Lisa Dedden Cooper, 800 W. Ganson Street, Jackson, MI 49202 Sincerely, Wok Sbrane. Mark Schauer Member of Congress oeSeptember 22, 2010 Mr. Raymond LaHood, Secretary US. Departmeat of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave SE Washington, D.C, 20590 RE: Michigan State Legislators’ Statement of Support for the Michigan Department of Transportation's Applications to the Federal Railroad Administration for High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program Grants Dear Secretary LaHood: We are writing to express Michigan’s strong support for intercity passenger rail and to encourage you to look favorably on our state’s applications for High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program grants. Michigan has three heavily traveled existing intercity passenger train routes. The Wolverine (Chicago ~ Detroit/Pontiac) service is part ofthe federally designated Chicago Hub High Speed Rail corridor. Almost % million passengers traveled on these three routes in 2008 with close to % million travelers on the Wolverine service alone. Ridership has steadily increased from 2000 to 2008 - up roughly 66 percent. Our support - members of the Michigan Legislature — for Michigan’s existing passenger rail system has increased and strengthened as well. Our state is beset with ‘economic difficulties and we have made painful cuts to all state programs. Nevertheless, the FY 2011 transportation budgets passed by the state Senate and House fully fund our existing passenger rail program at the outset for the first time in years. Moreover, a bill introduced today ~ HB 6484 — in the House of Representatives would provide a funding ‘mechanism for our state's match for HSIPR Program grants we receive and other fixed guideway projects currently in development. ‘The HSIPR Program grants for which our transportation department applied are important for our state and the region’s high-speed passenger rail system for a couple of reasons, ‘The money will be used to purchase about 100 miles of track from Kalamazoo to Dearborn, help construct a multi-modal station in Ann Arbor, and rework rail congestion points in Detroit, among other projects. Successful funding and completion of these projects will be a regional showcase for emerging high speed rail - running at speeds of up to 110 mph on about 200 miles of track maintained for fast trains. This could demonstrate to the rest of the region and country the possibilities of high speed rail. This corridor will also be connected with three new or upgraded stations funded with the first round of HSR grants ~ Ann Arbor would be a fourth and a commuter rail hub.we Goris a ask aoe ‘ rail pr Intercity Passenger Ral Rall isiPR) Progam grants chigan’s intercity passenger stem awards forthe 1¢ High-Speed Sincerely, woes! +15) ae #94We, therefore, ak you to consider ou supor for Michigan's intercity passongr rail program as a strong positive factor when you determine awards for the High-Speed Intercity. Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program ‘grants. Sincerely, < 2644 TD hy Sule Distt 2 “Ais 2 Db “+ Soin oe featady Tike Sia pon a sw het ae Spustuer Az my eb igs Keoee i Sees o oe, er fae = +) oe eas Ad, aH ta Fees Oe 5 Yen Vous #2! ai A, ee IL sit 3) Sialefer gy Bee” ee ih OE fWwW A Tr Ss Whereis, Whereas,’ Whereas, Wheteas, ‘Whereas, ‘Whereas, © Wheseas, « ‘Whereds, ie She City-oF Ana’ Atbor station _ passengers dating 2009; Spots coe ; ‘ uate WASHTENAW AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDY 705 NORTH ZEB ROAD BNO FLOOR é é aa ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN 48103-1560. Gone ‘PHONE:(734)9945 127 FAx:(794) 9043129 2 * WEBSITE: WWW MIWATS. ORG EMAIL: WATS @MIWATS.ORG “ReGolution of Support for Michigan High Speed Rail ‘Application ‘The United States of Ametica made a’ financial commitment to ‘expanding the, nation's high-speed and intercity passengee sail (HSIPR) network, appropriating $4 billion last year forboth state cotidor development efforts and Amttak state of good tepair investments ict the FY.2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act; The President and Vice-President announced in January 2010 an additional $8 billion in Ainerican Recovery and Rethvestiient Act (ARRA) awards for 13 corridors, in’ 31 states ocluding the Politiac: Ann Arbor 5 Chicago cotridor linking Michigan, Indiana and Iiinois; ‘The Federal Railroad’ Administration ‘received applications Fequesting seven times the available funds for the HSTPR-ARRA grants; e 2 ‘Buuldiig’on the one million good-paying,midile- ee {Satya «amin Tateroraton Aurienry ANt aon Tin = Cor Cube ‘iateoe peter exrn Tooke Easre buon Waren taba Deane one enohe, ‘Gi or aias shower. Towusun shrines Taman Crore + Soumenesr Wasierntiaw Councn, OF Govemaisire: Surehon Tene Whew Coiuhry Scan Comesjonsis - WasiT bu Cow Roac Conlon Gay Or YESLAT + Wate ANE. *ELOFEEE: FipeRALHIWAY Acuna « SuWExer MewaAN COUNEK Or Coveneae Jounin Gowrie onaunes noe Ar 260 OF Pumtc Act or conan tib7) ener Temesoerie WasimbuWCOUeonly 0.2 percent of the travel industry's total greenhouse éan move a torr of freight 457 miles‘on one gallon of fuel, SO NUheatas, ": ®. Bassenger tailroads - gases and one freight Whereas, Abn Asbor's planned intermodal Fuller Road Station, is ‘anticipated to become a gateway:'to- the community’ and a. tool, for “economic rosette photog {anspottation-oriented development aid livable communities; sad Whereas, ‘The Washtenaw Atea Transportation Stady continues “to sipport Michigan's Department of Transportation work on the Aaa Arbor to Detroit and Ana Athor to Howell, Wally, cominuter rail progearns as well as the Sees of the Michigan High-speed and Intercity Rail ea i sey RESOLVED, ‘The Washtenaw Area Teadepontatiga ‘Study embraces. the State and. Natic vvision “ “ for High Speed Intercity Passchger Rail and continues to support the ey ‘of the’ existing: limited, intercity’ passenger service into a multi-faceted. popanet *interer andhigh-qped ra sc a % RESOLAED, ‘the Weshitha Arca Teanoportation Study eadoise ad ful supports the State aoe ‘Michigan's pplication for funding of High-Speed and Inteteity Passenger Rall improvements identified in the FY2010 USDOT Appropriations Act: RESOLVED, | The Wasliteans: Area Teanoporation Stndy sequel te Michigns Sue Legale _ Provide’ financial, legislative and policy leadership through lepislative ene and " expand access to passenger, high speed, and commuter ‘ail options; and RESOLVED, ‘The Washtenaw Area Tratspdrtation Study endorses and agrees to Participate with, the State’ of Michigan to coordinate’ the community effort; provide input and support for siate budger discussions om continuing Amtrak funding, support the grate budget development process and legislative initiatives to. provide state-level ie Sanding fot sail ifrsrottre project, tns-oiented: developmen, as ‘well as . ‘commuter: oe rallprojects) ee en Gi SE ett S08, Detter Village Councilmember Seo i Q + CAs; Washtenai Area Transportation Sridy % ee eae hate Policy Committee alyCITY OF SALINE WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR MICHIGAN'S HIGH SPEED RAIL APPLICATION WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, The United States of America made 2 financial commitment to expanding the nation's high-speed and intercity passenger rail (HSIPR) network, appropriating $4 billion last year for both state corridor development efforts and Amtrak state of good repair investments in the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act; and ‘The President and Vice-President announced in January 2010 an additional $8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) awards for 13 cottidors in 31 states including the Pontiae- Ana Arbor - Chicago corridor linking Michigan, Indiana and Ilinois; and ‘The Fedetal Railroad Administration received applications requesting seven times the available funds for the HSIPR ARRA grants; and Building on the one million good-paying, middle-class American jobs already supported by the rail industry, developing this pipeline of national high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects will revitalize the domestic manufacturing industry and create additional American jobs; and Ridership on Amtrak grew every year from 2000 through 2008, carrying mote than 1.3 million tiders in 2009 during the economic recession and is on track in 2010 for its best ridetship year ever, demonstrating the increased demand for intercity passenger rail services; and ‘The City of Ann Arbor station remains the busiest in Michigan, with neatly 130,000 passengers during 2009; and In highly populated and congested regions, including along the Pontiac to Chicago line, Amtrak trains and inftastructure carry intercity passengers and commuters t0 and from work; and Passenger rail provides a more fuelefficient transportation system and less congested option resulting in energy secutity and cleaner transportation alternatives; and Passenger railroads emit only 0.2 percent of the travel industry's total greenhouse gases and one freight train can move a ton of freight 457 miles on one gallon of fuel, and Ann Arbor's planned intermodal Fuller Road Station is anticipated to become a gateway to the community and a tool for economic growth supporting ‘tanspottation-oriented development and livable communities; andWHEREAS, RESOLVED, RESOLVED, RESOLVED, RESOLVED, ‘The City of Saline continues to support Michigan's Department of Transpottation work on the Ann Arbor to Detroit and Ann Arbor to Howell, WALLY, commuter rail programs as well as the development of the Michigan High-speed and Intercity Rail Program; ‘The City of Saline embraces the State and Nation's vision for High Speed Tatercity Passenger Rail and continues to support the evolution of the existing limited intercity passenger service into a multi-faceted commuter, intercity and high-speed sail system; The City of Saline endorses and fully supports the State of Michigan's application for funding of High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail improvements identified in the FY2010 USDOT Appropriations Act; ‘The City of Saline requests the Michigan State Legislature provide financial, legislative and policy leadership through legislative changes and expand access to passenger, high speed, and commuter sail options; and ‘The City of Saline endorses and agrees to patticipate with the State of Michigan to coordinate the community effort; provide input and support for state budget discussions on continuing Amtrak funding, support the state budget development process and legislative initiatives to provide state-level funding for rail infrastructuze projects, transit-oriented development, as well as commuter and light rail projects. MOVED by Council Member__Marl SECONDED by Council Member_Ping that the foregoing Resolution be adopted. AYES: Nays: ABSENT: Driskell, Ivey, Little, Marl, Ping, Rhoads Law None Resolution declared adopted at a Regular Meeting of the Saline City Council held on Monday, August 16, 2010. An, Dianne S. Hill, Gity Clerk City of Saline, MichiganResolution of Support for Michigan’s High Speed Rail Application Ata regular meeting of the Township Board of Trustees of Superior Charter Township, ‘Washtenaw County, Michigan, held at the Township Hall of said Township on August 16, 2010, at 7:30 p.m, Eastern Standard Time, the following resolution was offered by Phillips, and seconded by McKinney. Whereas, The United States of America made a financial commitment to expanding the nation’s high-speed and intercity passenger rail (HSTPR) network, appropriating 4 billion last year for both state corridor development efforts and Amtrak state of ‘g00d repair investments in the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act; Whereas, The President and Vice-President announced in January 2010 an additional $8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) awards for 13 corridors in 31 states including the Pontiac- Ann Arbor - Chicago corridor linking ‘Michigan, Indiana and Illinois; Whereas, The Federal Railroad Administration received applications requesting seven times the available funds for the HSIPR ARRA grants; Whereas, Building on the one million good-paying, middle-class American jobs already supported by the rail industry, developing this pipeline of national high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects will revitalize the domestic manufacturing industry and create additional American jobs; Whereas, Ridership on Amtrak grew every year from 2000 through 2008, carrying more than 1.3 million riders in 2009 during the economic recession and is on track in 2010 for its best ridership year ever, demonstrating the increased demand for intercity passenger rail services; Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor station remains the busiest in Michigan, with nearly 130,000 passengers during 2009; Whereas, In highly populated and congested regions, including along the Pontiac to Chicago line, Amtrak trains and infrastructure carry intercity passengers and commuters to and from wor Whereas, Passenger rail provides a more fuel-efficient transportation system and less congested option resulting in energy security and cleaner transportation alternatives; Whereas, Passenger railroads emit only 0.2 percent of the travel industry's total greenhouse ‘gases and one freight train can move a ton of freight 457 miles on one gallon of fuel;Southwest Regional Rehabilcation Concer ‘August 27, 2010 Kirk Stoudle Director Michigan Department of Transportation 425 West Ottawa Lansing, Michigan 48909 Dear Mr. Steudle: Please consider this letter as support for the Michigan Department of Transportation submission to the Federal Railroad Administration for the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rall Program. Specifically, this correspondence supports funding the Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac corridor. Michigan already allows for passenger speeds up to 95 miles per hour west of Kalamazoo. Michigan is positioned to expand the success east of Kalamazoo to Battle Creek and ultimately Detroit. Michigan citizens, 51,571 of whom boarded or departed the Wolverine or Blue Water Amtrak lines at the Battle Creek station, will find relief from congested traffic corridors while achieving access to more efficient fuel alternatives, ‘An efficient and effective, high-speed rail system is important to the economic development of Battle Creek, Ml. We respectfully urge FRA support of the MDOT application. Sincere! Stan Tooley President & CEO st/iw 393 Bast Roosevelt Avenue Battle Creek Michigan 49017 269.965.3206Riverside Park Place Condominium Association / Nielsen Square Condominium Association Regents, University of Michigan ‘Ann Arbor, Michigan ‘September 15, 2010 Dear Regents: AAs property owners and residents of the Wall Stree~Maiden Lane neighborhood, we are writing to affirm ‘our support for the planned Fuller Road Intermodal Transit Station (FRS). As you are likely aware, we have worked hard over the last several years to promote neighborhood-friendly building and transit plans that fit with the residential character of our neighborhood, enhance the appeal and livability of the Neighborhood, and further the long-term interests and prosperity of our neighborhood's property owners and residents. In the course of these efforts, we have met with University of Michigan representatives, including the Regents, to hear about plans, engage in dialogue, voice our opinion, and attempt to move the discussion forward in a positive direction We are pleased with the plans to locate the FRS transit facility outside our immediate residential neighborhood. We support the FRS, and we ask for your continued support of the FRS as wel for the following reasons: 1. We support the University of Michigan addressing its parking needs through a parking structure located outside of our immediate neighborhood. We feel strongly that Fuller Road is a more appropriate location for a parking structure than a residential neighborhood. And although we'd prefer to see all the phases planned for the FRS come into being as a package, we support the development of FRS in a phased manner, with the parking structure in the first phase. In fact, we support the development of FRS Phase I, the parking structure with bicycle and bus transit capacities, even if no other phases are ultimately built, because of the benefits we feel ‘come with that. Given the University’s need to accommodate several hundred cars, tiered parking fs preferred since, compared to surface lots, it conserves scarce land resources. The smaller footprint of a parking structure also means less disruption of natural storm water runoff into the groundwater. In addition, when parking is part of an intermodal transit center, drivers can park their automobiles and easily switch to other modes of travel (bus, bicycle, and walking). For those headed downtown, the parking structure at the FRS offers a way to get there without taking an automobile and adding to the congestion. 2. We appreciate the fact that the University’s financial contribution to the FRS will provide the local match for federal monies being sought. We understand that U-M's funding of 78% of Phase | of the FRS, referred to in the city’s memorandum of understanding with the University (Nov. 5, 2009), will provide the needed match funds with which the city can apply for federal ‘monies for additional work at the FRS location, 3. The FRS will serve workers and visitors arriving in Ann Arbor on the commuter rail line we hope will ultimately link Detroit to Ann Arbor (or beyond). Economic benefits in the form of transportation-oriented development (businesses and residents locating around rail lines) have resulted from rail projects completed in other U.S. cities. We look forward to the economic boost to the city that will accompany the commuter rail ine proposed for this area, ‘We support any efforts to make mass transit available in southeastem Michigan and decrease dependence on the automobile and oil. We look forward to seeing workers and visitors—including ‘those traveling to and from the University of Michigan Hospitals and other U-M locations—have a Public transit option for traveling to Ann Arbor. In addition, we want Ann Arbor residents to have aLetter of support for FRS Page 2 public transit option for traveling to the airport and getting to Detroit and other points outside of ‘Ann Arbor. 4. We fee! that the unique opportunities made possible by the commuter rail and the FRS transcend issues raised related to parkland. We appreciate the concems sparked by the location of the FRS on land that is currently designated as parkland. We also support the Park Advisory Commission in measures aimed at maintaining the parks budget. As the FRS planning moves forward, we'd like to see these issues worked out in a way that is beneficial to the City, the University and the Parks Department. Most important, however, is that planning for a transit station located on Fuller Road move forward. We believe the city’s transportation planners when they say that the designated Fuller Road location is the best possible location for the FRS. We must say that while we support the building of the FRS for all the reasons already mentioned above, we wish there were a design about which we could be more excited. We feel that the design as currently envisioned does not offer an iconic public transportation gateway to the city, which we would preter. Nevertheless, we support the FRS, and look for your continued support for the FRS as wel, in all its phases. Sincerely, Riverside Park Place Condominium Association, Nielsen Square Condominium Association ‘APPROVED: Riverside Park Place Condominium Association Board of Directors 1050 Wall Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 September 6, 2010 ‘APPROVED: Nielsen Square Condominium Association Board of Directors lo 1053 Maiden Lane, Ann Arbor, Ml 48105 September 6, 2010 Ce: J. Hieftje, Mayor, City of Ann Arbor E. Cooper, Transportation Program Manager, City of Ann Arbor D. Dykman, Project Manager, City of Ann Arbor 'W. Rampson, Planning Manager, City of Ann Arbor S. Briere, City Council Member, Ward 1 S. Smith, City Council Member, Ward 1 . Gott, Planner, University of Michigan J. Kosteva, Director, Community Relations, University of Michigan S. Dolen, Executive Director, Parking & Transportation Services, University of Michigan J. Grand, Chair, Park Advisory Commission E. Mahler, Chair, Ann Arbor City Planning Commission J. Bemstein, Chair, Board of Directors, AATA M. Ford, Chief Executive Officer, AATA T. Blackmore, Director, Washtenaw Area Transportation Studymane scnauen Rroaoe, Posner se amen Congress of the United States House of Representatives Washington, BC 20515-2207 TRANSPORTATION ANO INFRASTRUCTURE August 2, 2010 ‘The Honorable Ray LaHood Secretary of Transportation ULS. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590-0001 Re: Michigan Department of Transportation’s Application for FY 2010 HSIPR Funding Dear Secretary LaHood: Tam writing in strong support of the application being submitted by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for FY 2010 High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) funding. The Detroit-Chicago rail corridor runs right through heart of my congressional district, so rail transportation is a significant economic development issue for us here. This funding will allow Michigan to expand passenger rail capacity to meet the needs of our changing economy by simultaneously increasing the mobility of our workforce, creating new jobs, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil. Expanding the capacity of the Detroit-Chicago rail corridor will allow more people to make use of rail transportation, both for traveling longer distances at high speed, and for workers traveling every day as commuters. In today's economy, it is important that workers be flexible and mobile. Having a dependable passenger rail system will allow Michigan workers to travel efficiently and reliably. Furthermore, this project will provide direct jobs that are especially needed in Michigan right now as the state’s unemployment rate remains one of the highest in the nation, at 13.2% as of June 2010. ‘Thank you for giving consideration to Michigan’s application. Please feel free to contact me or Lisa Dedden Cooper in my office at 517-780-9075 if you have any questions or require further information. 1 would also be grateful if you would keep my district office informed of the progress of this application either by fax to 517-780-9081, or by U.S. mail addressed to Congressman Mark Schauer, atfn Lisa Dedden Cooper, 800 W. Ganson Street, Jackson, MI 49202. Sincerely, Mark Schauer Member of Congress soe Leadon ie Boone 200 i dn Pheer 00 235.6878 Fron st 7 7e08075 recipe roa) 228 281 =