At least, it was. The state is at a crossroads after the implosion of the auto industry and the loss of a sizeable chunk of manufacturing jobs. We are facing an identity crisis. Case in point: There are already tax incentives meant to make the state a “Hollywood-lite.”

There has been talk of going “green,” but there are concerns about its potential impact on the economy. We are rebuilding and reshaping to move into the 21st century; to move anywhere the state first must create infrastructure.

A key piece of that infrastructure should be committing to high-speed and commuter rails between cities beginning with the project currently under consideration between Ann Arbor and Detroit.
At the moment, the Detroit Free Press reports the project is on hold because supporters are having a hard time finding the $50 million to fund the construction and long-term operation of the commuter train. Funding potentially could come from some type of tax on fuel or vehicle registration.

Even so, rail is a good investment because it creates jobs in the short-term. In the long run it can lessen the impact of cars on the environment as well as create a jumping off point for a rail hub that could include a large part of the Midwest.

Construction could create jobs for engineers and skilled laborers laid off by the auto and other peripheral industries. This would be a temporary fix, but keeping families and workers in state is something the government should strive to do.

Alternative modes of transportation also could ease some of the wear and tear on highways by easing congestion. It might not be a given that a commuter train — especially one limited between Ann Arbor and Detroit — would contribute to savings everywhere, but reducing traffic on the roads between two of the state’s major cities is a good start.

Speaking of that connection, it would be a boon to Michigan to find ways to bring people to Detroit. As the largest city in the state, anything done to improve the city will help the rest of us. Not to mention it contains some of the best music, art and sports in the state.
Improving the connectivity of the populace wouldn’t hurt. To enable fast transit from city to city could change the way people serve their communities and interact with each other.

Part of our reason for encouraging investment in a commuter train from Ann Arbor to Detroit is to help it grow into something larger. Whether it leads to high-speed rail between Detroit and Chicago or commuter lines between Lansing and other cities, we want to see it expand. Our world already has shrunk a great deal thanks to the Internet. A rail hub that encompasses major cities in the Midwest would make it easier to work out-of-state but still spend money in Michigan.

We’re not saying this will save Michigan. It is only a small part of what it will take to rebuild the state. We do think it is a step in the right direction. Federal interest in funding rail projects is fairly high at the moment. We should strike while the iron is hot.