Local governments in the Capital region are hoping the federal government will provide several million dollars in transportation funding to fund bus lanes and a light rail system on Michigan and Grand River Avenues.
According to excerpts from the article:
Through the 2009 U.S. Transportation Reauthorization Bill, U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Howell, has asked for $387 million, including $110 million for public transportation enhancements along the corridor that stretches about 7 miles from the state Capitol building in downtown Lansing to the Meridian Mall in Okemos.
Besides the possible addition of some form of advanced transportation, the money also could fund improvements to roads, intersections, sidewalks and bicycle paths, said Debbie Alexander, assistant executive director of the Capital Area Transportation Authority, which would facilitate the improvements.
She said the project could draw economic activity to the corridor, especially if CATA creates boarding stations, where people could pay fares before boarding the bus. Those stations would draw large numbers of people, likely attracting businesses and other employment sites, such as entertainment venues, she said.
Read the entire article here.
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