State Rep. Sharon Tyler Thursday announced her support of the City of New Buffalo and Amtrak’s collaborative efforts to improve intercity passenger rail services in southwest Michigan.

The City of New Buffalo, in response to the Federal Register Notice of Funding Availability, issued by the U.S Department of Transportation, submitted a National Infrastructure Investment grant application that would have significant impact on the metropolitan area.

“The available funds would be highly beneficially to the Michigan economy,” said Tyler, R-Niles. “The grant, if approved, would provide an integrated rail service in West Michigan, creating more opportunities for economic development and tourism along passenger rail corridors throughout our state and on to Chicago.”

Included in the application is the construction of 10 additional miles of rail line to connect a rail siding from Dowagiac to Niles, increasing the capacity of passenger rail service. Also included in the application are plans to study and design a connection track between the Amtrak-owned Wolverine rail line and the Pere Marquette service, on the CSX rail line, at New Buffalo.

“It is my hope that the public will know more about the status of this grant in a couple of months,” Tyler said. “Connecting these two rail lines will give passengers a greater number of options available to them, and they can travel more easily across the state. Encouraging rail service projects throughout Michigan will help make our state more efficient and competitive.”