Good news for Plymouth drivers: Railroad upgrades almost done
Large chunks of asphalt rest on the north side of the CSX railroad tracks on Main Street in Plymouth.
CSX making long-awaited improvements to crossings
Driving over railroad tracks the past several years in Plymouth was equivalent to experiencing the jolting feeling that comes with a brief earthquake as uneven roadway pushed vehicles’ shock absorbers to their limit.
Those days are nearly over as CSX Transportation is finally heeding local officials’ pleas to smooth out the pavement near tracks. Improvements have already been completed on the tracks that cross Lilley Road just south of Ann Arbor Trail and crossings at Mill Street and Starkweather.
The final piece of the improvement project should be completed by mid-September, Plymouth Mayor Nick Moroz confirmed, when the smoothing process is capped on Main Street, just north of downtown.
The improvements are funded by the federal government, Moroz said.
“The repairs have been needed for a long time, obviously,” Moroz said. “Not many days go by when we don’t hear concerns from our residents. But local government has no control over when projects like this can be completed as railroads are regulated by the federal government.
“That said, we are extremely happy to see the improvements finally happen.”
Moroz unveiled more good railroad-related news, saying State Senator Rosemary Bayer, who has represented Plymouth since the recent wave of redistricting in Michigan, has secured $1 million in funding that is expected to go toward further upgrades near local railroad crossings.
Moroz said the proposed improvements would include pedestrian-safety projects near the crossings.
“We would work in concert with CSX once these plans are finalized,” Moroz said.
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