Amtrak continues temporary schedule in Michigan to complete track, signal work

Amtrak will continue its modified schedule on Wolverine Service and Blue Water routes through September's end as it completes track and signal work in west Michigan, Amtrak and Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) officials announced yesterday.

The improvements will result in more reliable service and accommodate the future extension of 110-mph Amtrak service between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, the officials said in a press release.

The modified schedules primarily affect the westbound schedule of Blue Water Train No. 365 from Port Huron to Chicago via East Lansing. Wolverine Service riders between west Michigan and Chicago will continue to have access to an additional eastbound trip on Sundays and additional westbound trip on Mondays through Sept. 30.

Announced in spring, the temporary schedules also allow Norfolk Southern Railway more time to complete work designed to reduce freight train congestion that has interfered with Amtrak trains in northern Indiana, Amtrak officials said.

Amtrak and MDOT have asked NS to take action to improve the daily dispatch of 10 state-sponsored Amtrak trains and four more Amtrak national network services on the Class I's track between Chicago and Porter, Ind.