Above: The renovated and re-purposed train station in Mt. Pleasant. The Michigan North+South Rail study is moving full steam ahead. The study, happening this year, is regarded as one of the most significant phases in advancing a new rail service because it is taking a...
Groundwork—originally christened Michigan Land Use Institute—turned 30 on Earth Day 2025, and we’re happy to be celebrating the day with you. To pay tribute to the big three-oh, we put together a list of 30 highlights from Groundwork’s years on the planet (not easy...
Passenger rail provides residents of smaller communities around the country with a vital connection to neighboring municipalities, major metropolitan areas, and the nation as a whole. In this series’ introduction, we took a general look at how residents and their...
ABOVE: Passengers wait on the platform to board Amtrak’s Empire Builder at Whitefish Station (2019 ridership: 55,642) in Whitefish, Montana (pop. 7,751). The station building is owned by the local Stumptown Historical Society, and offers passengers a waiting room,...
Imagine this: You’re traveling for work, visiting family, or setting off on a weekend trip. But rather than battling traffic and the general stress of driving, you’re comfortably seated on a passenger train—reading, working, or simply taking in the view. This...
ABOVE: Tyasha Harrison. Photo by @Liljesphotography.com, Jes Ryan. As part of Groundwork's ongoing series of equity interviews, we have invited Tyasha Harrison to share thoughts for Black History Month. Tyasha is a founding member of Northern Michigan E3...