TRENTON, Mich. – Trains are a problem in Trenton and have been for a while.
Drivers routinely have to sit and wait at train crossings, but it’s more than just an annoyance -- there are concerns about emergency vehicles getting through when a train is blocking the way.
The delays can sometimes be longer than an hour.
Background: Trenton residents demand solutions for railroad crossing delays
“It impacts how you have to leave your house in the morning if you’re going to work,” said Marcia Aller. “You have to add on an extra 15 mins cause it can be a problem.”
If anyone knows first hand of the problems drivers are facing at the train tracks, it’s Trenton native, State Sen. Darrin Camilleri.
“Going to the doctor; going to the hospital, those are really life and death situations that too many families have had to deal with,” Camilleri said. “We’ve had police officers and firefighters not be able to get to emerging urgent situations.”
Now he’s in the position to do something about it. He was recently able to secure funding, marking the initial phase of a grade separation project intended to enable drivers to pass over or under the tracks.
“In the last budget, I was able to secure $20 million to help MDOT build another one of these bridges and it’s not enough, but that $20 millions is first time we’ve seen that type of investment,” Camilleri said.
What’s standing in the way of the project being completed is simply more money.
“I need $45 million to build a second bridge in Trenton on Fort Street, which is still a lot of money,”
Once $65 million overall is secured, it will not only be what kickstarts the work in Trenton, but for a few other downriver communities as well in a much bigger picture. Woodhaven being the first to receive a grade separation.
“There’s a third over in Romulus and Huron Township that we also need to address on Pennsylvania Road,” Camilleri said. “But if we can address those three, then I think we’ll alleviate many of the challenges.”
“That would be terrific,” Aller said. “But it’s also a lot of money to have to do that.”
Now even if all the funding was secured to make this project a reality. There still is going to be a few years for the project to be completed start to finish, so Sen. Camilleri is asking everyone to be patient.