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Snyder Exploring High Speed Rail Options

DETROIT (WWJ) - Michigan could be one of the states that will bid on federal money to develop a high-speed rail.  The U.S. Transportation Department is making 2.4 billion dollars available to states which develop a rail system. 

Speaking at Pancakes and Politics last week,  Governor Rick Snyder said the state is doing an analysis on what it would mean for Michigan.

"A lot of it is doing the analysis on what it does to the economy, so I put on my cpa (certified public accountant) hat and look at the cost analysis and economic impact," says Gov. Synder.

President Obama has indicated he wants to connect 80 percent of Americans to high-speed rail within the next 25 years.

"The starting premise I have is Detroit to Chicago can be an interesting opportunity. Ohio is opting out, but the one piece I had some discussion about was Detroit to Chicago and up into Canada," says Snyder.

Applications for the federal money are due on April 4th.  

Snyder made the comments on Michigan Matters, which can be seen Saturday mornings at 11 o'clock on WWJ-TV, CBS Detroit.

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