Owosso native and entrepreneur Alyson Caverson is excited about the Ann Arbor to Traverse City passenger rail project, which will run from the population centers of southeast Michigan to the emerging economies in the northwest, and pass through Owosso and towns like Howell, Durand, Alma, Mt. Pleasant and Cadillac-all opportunities for her to grow Happy Girl Granola.
The Groundwork Center’s effort to establish passenger rail on a set of state-owned tracks between Ann Arbor and Traverse City is gaining steam. Since our big kick-off earlier this year, we’ve been meeting with civic leaders and transportation officials all along the line on how to build a successful public campaign, and with officials in Lansing to advance the necessary studies to run the trains.
Modern passenger rail service connecting Traverse City to Ann Arbor… it’s quite a vision. It would strengthen our regional economy and stimulate development along the route. It would take cars off the highways, with the environmental benefits of cleaner air and less fuel consumption. It would use an existing asset to offer a new transportation option for those of us who live in the Traverse City area and an appealing new way for visitors to come to our area. But what’s most exciting? It can be a reality, and it’s the Michigan Land Use Institute’s goal that within 10 years, regular passenger train service connects Traverse City and Ann Arbor.