Michigan will be receiving $150 million for the development of a high speed railway between Dearborn and Kalamazoo.  Congressman John Dingell announced the grant receipt Monday Oct.25. According to Dingell, this railway is just the first step to upgrades that will help create a railway between Detroit and Chicago.

The grant is being provided by the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program.

“Our people want alternative transit options, and this grant will help Michigan, and the United States, to compete with our neighbors abroad,” Dingell said in a press release. “The United States has fallen behind in the development of our transit corridors, witnessing China and Japan take the lead in developing successful high speed rail corridors. If we are to continue to compete with our neighbors, we must make these critical upgrades in our infrastructure.”

In addition to this first grant, the U.S. Department of Transportation is providing another grant of $3.2 million, which is financing the planning of the project.

This grant is just one of the steps that Dingell has been fighting for to improve transportation. Dingell was one of the authors of the 1994 High-Speed Rail Development Act.

 “Congressman Dingell’s experience and know-how represent a huge advantage for this community and for all of the people he represents,” said Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly in a statement provided by Dingell’s office.

“This grant is just another one of the examples where Congressman Dingell’s work has produced great results for the City of Dearborn.”