Michigan Train Traffic Turns into Driver Headache for Locals

Trains have been moving people and cargo across vast distances for more than a century. In the early days of American rail, some cities evolved into major railroad hubs, featuring switch-tracks, multiple rail lines, and sometimes a full roundhouse. Durand, Michigan—often referred to as Railroad City, U.S.A.—is one of those iconic hubs.

When Progress Comes to a Halt

Although train systems have advanced significantly since the 1800s, rail construction is still a hands-on job that can disrupt entire communities. That was the case today (7-15-2025) just south of Durand Union Station, where a construction project on the tracks brought four freight trains to a complete stop.

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While drivers in the city caught a brief break from the usual crossing delays, it quickly turned into a traffic nightmare. Some of the longer trains waiting outside of town ended up blocking key roads, forcing local commuters to either wait it out—or, for some, turn around and head back home.

A 5-Minute Michigan Commute Turns Into 20+

Once Canadian National crews cleared the tracks, the situation only got more chaotic as the waiting trains began to move. With Durand’s unique layout, multiple trains can cross the same intersections from different directions. The result? Residents who are used to a short stop at the tracks were stuck waiting up to 20 minutes before traffic started flowing again.

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What Can Drivers Do?

This isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and it won’t be the last. For those living in or near Durand, planning around train schedules—or better yet, getting real-time alerts about rail activity—might be the only way to avoid these sudden gridlocks.