I’m not mad at anything (it takes a lot to make me mad), I’m disappointed. FWIW I happen to agree completely with your analysis of the issue as an outstanding opportunity that could be lost without the proper level of enthusiasm. That’s why speculation about the safety and location of whitewater improvements in particular disappoints me: it’s conjecture that gets taken as fact and can dampen enthusiasm.

It is increasingly frustrating to read news like this and see this message not getting out. The anecdotal claims just make matters worse.

Ann Arbor hasn’t done well by the river, and hasn’t really made good use of the river, seemingly viewing it more as an obstacle to be bridged than a strength, except for placing some marginal parkland along it (let’s face it, Riverside and Broadway Parks, for all their virtues, are not exactly jewels of the park system). It feels like there’s an opportunity for some real planning here that isn’t going to go anywhere because there’s just no energy for it.

On another note: “MichCon had been advised, for example, that the Beakes and North Main area is not the best place to try to bring trucks through.” Agreed, but what are the alternatives? Depot Street? *shudder* Pontiac Trail? Plymouth? It’s going to be difficult no matter what.

Without spending any local funds, we will enjoy the track improvements on the Detroit to Chicago route. As I understand, the rail improvements will include two rail beds (one for each direction). Because of the transfer of ownership of these rails, passenger trains will no longer be required to cede right of way to freight trains.

Without spending any local money, we will enjoy increased frequency of Amtrak service on that route. Should that increased traffic warrant a new Amtrak station, Amtrak could seek federal funding for a new station.

Commuter service that is separate from Amtrak Detroit to Chicago runs would be better addressed by a regional transit body that encompassed all counties served by the commuter service. The Governor has proposed a regional transit authority, but it will provide Bus Rapid Transit rather than rail – probably because of costs