"Rail banked" - Michigan definitions and restrictions

[mikesullivan]

Question: Rail banked properties have the potential to be redeveloped for rail service, right? That's the point of the rail bank status, I believe. Our local former tracks in NE Michigan (North of Alpena) are all snowmobile trails now, but the local municipalities / MDRE have plans and grants to resurface the Alpena to Cheboygan sub (former D&M) line with crushed limestone for recreation like the Gaylord to Mackinac did a couple years ago. The plans in last week's paper show a new clubhouse (warming area and bathrooms) in Millersburg, which would be a fine thing for the town, but the site plan diagram shows the building it directly centered across the former track right of way. How could this be banked for future use if a building occupies the ROW land?

[willardgarrett]

One tiny step in the process of rehabbing the line for new traffic