State Rep. Bill Rogers, R-Brighton, who heads a task force looking into whether the state should grant easements for the rail line along Interstate 96, U.S. 23 and I-94, said the system is within the realm of possibility — provided private funding exists to meet the $2 billion price tag.

Connie Murry Cole of Detroit-based Interstate Traveler Company LLC, the company that developed the plan for the high-speed line, said enough funding has been identified to at least build a prototype within a year, but the location has not been determined.

The “MagLev” rail line would incorporate hydrogen and solar technology, and magnetic forces would help propel train cars along stainless steel tubes that could serve as conduits for fiber optic cable, electrical lines and utilities like water and natural gas.

“If they truly can finance it, I don’t know why it couldn’t exist,” Rogers said. “I just don’t know if the money is there.”

About 75 people attended the hearing, most from investment companies that have bought a stake in the endeavor, or from industries that hope to spin off business if the project goes forward.

Michigan State University history professor James Anderson, an economic historian, said the plan has the potential to revolutionize transportation — if it gets off the ground. He testified in support of the plan.

“It’s going to provide increased transport speed, efficiency and safety,” Anderson said. “And we haven’t even begun to count its job creation potential.”

kbouffard@detnews.com (517) 371-3660

Find this article at: http://www.detnews.com/article/20090615/POLITICS02/906150410/Company-ready-to-build-high-speed-rail-prototype

He said, “I know Americans love their cars and no one’s talking about replacing the automobile.  But this is something that can be done.”

There are 10 corridors which could receive federal funding.  Some them are:

• A Chicago hub network, which Obama called “something close to my heart” in reference to his adopted hometown, linking much of Midwest, including Toledo and Detroit with Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis-St. Paul, St. Louis, Kansas City, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Louisville, Ky.
• A California corridor, from Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay area to Los Angeles and San Diego.
• A southeast corridor, linking Washington, D.C., with Atlanta and Jacksonville, Fla., and other points along the way.
• A northern New England corridor, from Boston to Montreal but with links to Portland, Maine; New Haven, Conn., and elsewhere.

Now this to me sounds like an excellent reason to keep the Michigan Central Station right where it is.  The station is not in downtown Detroit, but, it is close enough to be made use of in my opinion.

Most airplane and train trips these days involve some sort of lay-over.  If not a lay-over, you’re train leaves at 4:30AM.  Who wants to get on anything that leaves at that time?  Some of the office space in the Depot could be used for accomodations for those wishing to arrive the night before their departure or spend a lay-over in a room instead of a waiting room.

There have been arguments in favor of the high speed rail and against it.  I have a feeling it’s going to happen and what an opportunity for Detroit and the Station.