Amtrak upgrade between Detroit and Chicago

Rail congestion along a Detroit Amtrak route is expected to be alleviated with the addition of a new track to separate the movement of freight and passenger trains. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Thursday that the Federal Railroad Administration is providing a $7.9 million grant for the West Detroit Connection Track project. Michigan will match that amount. The project is set to break ground later this year. LaHood says the work will eliminate “a longstanding bottleneck” and create “capacity to handle future rail demand” as the population increases. The West Detroit Junction is a key link between the Dearborn Station and the Detroit New Center Station. Amtrak’s “Wolverine” service will use the new track for its three daily round-trip trains between Chicago and the Detroit area.  (AP)

MHSAA recommends age limit change

The council that governs high school sports in Michigan has recommended that the age limit for sports eligibility be lifted under certain circumstances.  If member schools accept the proposal, it means a 19-year-old with Down syndrome would likely be allowed to play football and basketball his senior year.   Officials from individual schools were expected to receive ballots this week on whether to approve the change to the constitution of the Michigan High School Athletic Association. The organization’s representative council voted to send the matter to the members during its spring meeting Monday in Gaylord.  Eric Dompierre petitioned to be able to play sports next season. Already 19, he’s too old to play under the current rules because he started school late due to Down syndrome.  (AP)