John D. Dingell Transit Center Explained

Style:Amtrak
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Address:21201 Michigan Avenue
Dearborn, Michigan
Country:United States
Coordinates:42.3069°N -83.2347°W
Line:MDOT Michigan Line
Other: SMART FAST Michigan
SMART 140, 160, 200, 210, 250
Platform:2 side platforms
Tracks:2
Parking:Yes; free
Opened:December 9, 2014
Accessible:Yes
Owned:City of Dearborn
Other Services Header:Former services
Other Services Collapsible:yes
Mapframe:yes
Mapframe-Custom:
Shape:none
Marker:rail
Zoom:15

The John D. Dingell Transit Center, also known as the Dearborn Transit Center, is an intermodal transit station in Dearborn, Michigan. It is served by Amtrak's Wolverine line as well as Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) buses. The station is named after former U.S. Representative John Dingell.

Description

The station is located at 21201 Michigan Avenue (US Highway 12). The red brick and glass-faced structure includes a two-story waiting hall, which includes an elevated glass-enclosed pedestrian bridge which allows access to the south platform.[1] There is also a small retail space within the station.

History

The station was established in 1978 with the goal of Detroit's western suburban residents' access to passenger trains.[2] A station with a temporary structure opened July 30, 1978. A permanent station building opened on October 1, 1979, replacing the temporary structure. The station was built on property deeded to the city by the Ford Motor Company. The construction cost $348,000, which was split between Amtrak and the state of Michigan.[3] It was of an Amtrak standard station design.

On 19 August 2011, it was announced that the Federal Railroad Administration had released $28.2 million in funds from the ARRA economic stimulus package for the construction of a new intermodal station to replace the current building; the new facility would serve both intercity and commuter rail and include a new entrance to The Henry Ford museum complex adjacent to it.[4]

The new 16,000-square-foot station was officially opened for service on 10 December 2014,[5] and consolidates the old station and the Greenfield Village station.[6]

A group called Pockets of Perception, made up of ten students of Dearborn senior high schools, created a 18feet by 20feet mosaic, titled "Transformations," on display in the station's lobby.[7]

Connections

Routes 140, 160, 200, 210, 250, and FAST 261.[8] SMART's on-demand Flex service also serves the station and the surrounding area.

See also

Other stations that recently were demolished and replaced with a newer building.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Frezell. Michael. John D. Dingell Transit Center grand opening ceremony in Dearborn. mi.gov/mdot. Michigan Department of Transportation. 19 December 2014.
  2. Web site: Amtrak lists Dearborn stops . Newspapers.com . Lansing State Journal . 27 December 2021 . en . subscription . July 23, 1978.
  3. New Dearborn Station Opens, Serves Detroit's Growing Suburbs. Amtrak News. 6. 12. Nov 1979. 4.
  4. Web site: FRA obligates $28.2 million for new Dearborn train station . Progressive Railroading . 22 Aug 2011 . 24 Aug 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120327114556/http://www.progressiverailroading.com/intermodal/article/FRA-obligates-282-million-for-new-Dearborn-train-station--27693 . 2012-03-27 . dead .
  5. Web site: 2014-10-13 . Michigan's Railroad History 1825 - 2014 . 2024-04-29 . Michigan Department of Transportation.
  6. News: Lawrence. Eric. First train pulls out of new Dearborn Amtrak station. 11 December 2014. The Detroit Free Press. 10 December 2014.
  7. Lawrence, Eric D. "Mosaic sets tone for Dearborn transit center" (Archive). Detroit Free Press. October 25, 2014. Retrieved on August 6, 2015.
  8. Web site: SMART Bus system map. SMART . 27 September 2021.