DEARBORN — The City’s new intermodal passenger rail station will be named after John D. Dingell, Jr., the longtime champion of Dearborn, who became the longest-serving member of Congress in the history of the United States in June.

Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. initiated the idea to bestow this honor, because of Congressman Dingell’s steadfast support of Dearborn and its residents. The Congressman has called Dearborn home for decades.  

“He has represented Dearborn since 1964. That’s longer than any other city in his historic career,” said Mayor O’Reilly. 

Congressman John Dingell and Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr., along with other dignitaries, at the 2012 ceremonial groundbreaking for Dearborn’s Intermodal Passenger Rail station at The Henry Ford. Mayor O’Reilly said the train station will be named after Congressman Dingell, the longest serving member of Congress in the history of the Untied States.

The Dearborn City Council unanimously approved the mayor’s proposal on July 23. Congressman Dingell has achieved a number of outstanding accomplishments in his more than 57 years in public service. 

The Intermodal Passenger Rail Station is funded by a $28.2 million grant from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The train station, under construction on Michigan Avenue near Brady, is a key component for significant rail initiatives, which will include the proposed commuter line, between Ann Arbor and Detroit, and the high speed rail line, between Detroit and Chicago. 

It is also the focus of conceptual plans for transit oriented development (TOD) in Dearborn. TOD is a proven economic driver, and the train station is expected to generate additional customer traffic and business opportunities in Dearborn. 

It will also provide benefits to the University of Michigan-Dearborn, The Henry Ford: America’s Greatest History Attraction and Ford Motor Company.

It is called an intermodal train station, because it will allow passengers to easily connect with rental cars, taxis, buses and shuttles, as well as bike and pedestrian paths, as commuters travel to jobs, shops, schools and visitor attractions in Dearborn.