MDOT and Amtrak Break Ground for Intermodal Station in Pontiac, Mich.
$1.4 million building to serve intercity rail and bus passengers
Top officials with MDOT, Amtrak, Greyhound, the city of Pontiac and special guests break ground for the new Pontiac Transportation Center on July 16, 2010. Left to right: Robert Jordan, area sales manager, Greyhound; Eric Melton, district manager, Greyhound; Heather Carmona, executive director, Woodward Avenue Action Association; Allan Schneck, director, Department of Public Works & Utilities/city engineer, City of Pontiac; Thomas Carper, board chairman, Amtrak; Kirk Steudle, director, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT); U.S. Representative Gary Peters; Mayor Leon Jukowski, City of Pontiac; Lee Jones, president, Pontiac City Council; Deputy Mayor Ken Glass, City of Pontiac; Rob Pearson, project manager, MDOT. Photo courtesy of MDOT Photography Unit.
PONTIAC, Mich - On Friday, July 16, Top officials with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Amtrak joined representatives of the city of Pontiac and Greyhound today to break ground for the new Pontiac Transportation Center, which will serve intercity rail and bus passengers.
The intermodal station project is funded with $1.4 million from the state's Comprehensive Transportation Fund account. Located at 51000 Woodward Ave., the facility will serve as a hub for travel, including the six daily Amtrak Wolverine Service trains to and from Detroit and Chicago. More than 300,000 passengers have taken Wolverine Service trains this fiscal year.
Officials' remarks focused upon the importance of transportation as a critical component of economic development, as well as the role of stations in both of these things. When complete in the summer of 2011, this building will complete the replacement of the former “Pontiac Transpo Center,” which was demolished in 2008. Since then, Amtrak passengers and offices in Pontiac have been in housed in temporary facilities.
About Amtrak
As the nation’s intercity passenger rail operator, Amtrak connects America in safer, greener and healthier ways. Last fiscal year (FY 2009), the railroad carried 27.2 million passengers, making it the second-best year in the company’s history. With 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each day—at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph)—to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the partner of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for several commuter rail agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.
About Michigan Department of Transportation
The mission of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is to work with its partners at airports, bus systems, marine and rail to find innovative solutions for Michigan's transportation systems. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mdot.
