Michigan city explores idea of passenger rail service to Detroit, beyond
A future passenger rail line connecting Sterling Heights , Warren and other communities in Macomb County to downtown Detroit , the airport and other rail lines, including one to Chicago, is being explored along a freight rail corridor that is currently, and primarily, tied to the auto industry. While some might think the idea is "really far-fetched," Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool says it's not. And several Sterling Heights City Council members support taking a closer look at the idea. "Could that ever happen in Sterling Heights? And the answer is absolutely," Vanderpool told City Council during its Nov. 4 meeting, where it heard a presentation on the topic. "We have the backbone right here in our city." The backbone is the Conrail corridor that runs from Detroit through Warren and Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights says railroad tracks farther north, around 22 Mile Road, have been removed. City officials would like to find a way to preserve existing tracks, while they still are being used, for the future. A possible north-south passenger rail line with limited stops may be a way to do that. "Ultimately, the point is simple. If we preserve the corridor, we are protecting an opportunity
