Detroit area rail congestion project

[atrainguy60]

http://www.bnd.com/2012/05/10/2172043/p ... -area.html

[NoviRailfan]

Does anyone have a map of the area in question?

[ConrailDetr​oit]

I think there really just re installing the tracks. The bridges over Junction St are still there from a long time ago.

I dont have a map but I do have pictures. First one is looking back at how sharp the curve is. Second one is the old GTW Route where the new connection will be to.

[GP30M4216]

Open up google maps or Bing bird's eye and look up "Junction and Federal, Detroit, MI" You'll land smack in the middle of West Detroit Junction. The new track in question will go on the alignment of the northern-most bridge over Junction, connecting between the east-west former MC Michigan Line, and the southwest-northeast single track Shore Line, in the northwest quadrant. A big part of that price tag is the demolition and reconstruction of a new bridge to replace the current two-track bridge, which has been unused for at least a few decades. I'm not sure if they're just going to put a switch onto the Shore Line south of Michigan Avenue, or if they're going to continue the second track north as far as the south end of the double track at 24th Street. It would make sense to continue the double-track all the way. (Re)construction of this connecting track will shave a good 8-10 minutes of pure running time off the current trip between Dearborn and Detroit, nevermind any delays Amtrak faces thanks to CN, CP and NS/CR.

[~Z~]

Bridge in question:
http://binged.it/IGLKCe

[M.D.Bentley]

That is the old connection to the GTW yard,where the truck trailers are.

[azimmer]

IIRC, this is one of the scheduled improvements that is associated with the Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal project.

But what about the DIFT project itself, which is to be located only about a half mile from this new connecting track? Is the DIFT project still alive or has it fallen with the economy?

[M.D.Bentley]

No, just to separate the freight from the passenger traffic.