Battle Creek train passenger station gets ready for high-speed trains

High-speed rail improvements are pulling in to Battle Creek.

The Battle Creek passenger train station will be renovated with a $3.6 million grant recently approved by the Federal Railroad Administration. The station was built in 1982 and served more than 51,000 passengers in 2009.

Station improvements will include renovations to the 2,500-square-foot passenger lobby, new furnishings and upgraded technology and security.

Mechanical and plumbing systems also will be upgraded. The restroom will be updated to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements and a family restroom added.

The exterior of the building will be refaced and designed with a more contemporary look, and lighting and landscaping updated. Improvements to the facility will promote energy efficiency and incorporate green technologies

The grant is part of a nationwide $8 billion program to build high-speed rail projects around the country.

“The renovation of this building will provide a much needed facelift, making it more attractive and user friendly to the public,” says Tim Hoeffner, administrator, Michigan Department of Transportation.

Battle Creek is the mid-point of the rail corridor between Detroit and Chicago and MDOT views it as an important hub on Michigan’s high-speed rail corridor. An MDOT goal is to upgrade rail facilities along this corridor to safely accommodate current and increased high-speed passenger rail services.

“The location of this facility makes it accessible to pedestrians, cyclists, and both intercity and local transit passengers,” Hoeffner says. “A great transportation facility can be a catalyst for community development and that’s exactly what we hope will happen for Battle Creek.”

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Tim Hoeffner, Michigan Department of Transportation