City accepts $3.225 million planning package to study railyard relocation and crossing eliminations

The Kalamazoo City Commission voted to accept a $3,225,000 planning package that will fund a study of railroad crossing eliminations and options for relocating the downtown rail yard.

Director James J. Baker said the Federal Railroad Administration planning grant, coordinated with MDOT and several rail operators (Norfolk Southern, Grand Elk/WATCO, Amtrak and Canadian National), will fund analysis of alternatives to reduce downtown delays, improve safety and address environmental issues tied to the railyard’s location in a floodplain. Baker said the work will examine alternatives north or south of the city for a new yard location and that the study will involve extensive public and stakeholder engagement across jurisdictions.

Baker said trains generate substantial emissions and operational delays where current track layout requires complex backing movements; his presentation included an estimate of roughly 1,900 kilograms of carbon emissions per train event in downtown movements. He emphasized the planning grant covers study and stakeholder engagement and that construction — if pursued — could cost on the order of $50 million to $100 million or more.

Commissioners asked about timeline, fiduciary responsibilities and the effect on local jobs if a yard moves; Baker said the grant is programmed over three years (with possible extension to five), the city expects to work with partners on funding for later construction phases, and staff have no current plan to reduce rail jobs or rail service to local customers.

Public and institutional stakeholders (including references to Bronson Hospital and emergency-response concerns) were discussed as part of the planning requirements. Commissioners generally praised the regional scope of the effort; the commission voted to accept the planning package and its budget amendment.

What’s next: Staff will proceed with planning and partner coordination; the study will produce alternatives that the city and rail partners can evaluate for feasibility, costs, environmental review and stakeholder impacts.