Before President Joe Biden left the White House, the Federal Railroad Administration approved almost $74 million to fix a recurring traffic problem in Trenton.

The Michigan Department of Transportation plans to use the money to separate the railroad tracks from the pavement on Fort Street (M-85) north of Van Horn Road.

Why is this happening?

Adam Penzenstadler manages MDOT’s Transportation Services Center in Taylor. He says about a dozen trains cross Fort Street daily, often delaying traffic.

“You have a lot of folks who live and work in that area,” he says. “Eliminating those delays will be a huge benefit to the community.”

Penzenstadler says the project would also ensure that trains don’t stop emergency vehicles trying to reach Corewell Health’s Level 2 trauma center in Trenton.

“Having this grade separation will improve emergency services in the area and greatly improve response times,” he says.

More: Wayne County prepares to end train delays on Allen Road

What’s the plan?

MDOT has two options: Build a bridge over the tracks or run the highway under them.

Penzenstadler says community leaders and residents will have a say in the project.

“We’re going to study it and see what is the best option for this site, what makes the most sense and what has the most benefits to the area,” he says.

Penzenstadler says it would take about four years to design, build and complete the project.

MDOT has done this kind of work before. Spokesperson Michael Frezell says the state separated two crossings on Farm Lane near Michigan State University.

“You had stadiums where you’d have football and basketball games, so the trains going through there would cause delays for people getting across campus,” Frezell says.

Will the money be there?

Since MDOT secured the money before President Donald Trump’s second term began, Frezell says it’s too early to say whether the FRA will rescind it.

Trump’s new Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, has said the federal government will prioritize projects in areas with high birth and marriage rates.

The U.S. Census Bureau says Trenton’s marriage and married couple household rates are slightly higher than the national averages. The city’s average family size is almost 3 people.