U-M, Ann Arbor chip in for new rail station near U-M hospital

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 | Source: Concentrate

Half a million dollars from the city of Ann Arbor and University of Michigan has been invested to create conceptual plans for a new railroad-centric mass transit center on Fuller Road near University of Michigan Hospital.

"This enables us to take the next steps," says Eli Cooper, transportation manager for the city of Ann Arbor.

The next steps include figuring out how many bike racks such a station would need, what the traffic projects would be and how best to connect the various modes of mass transit there. The city and university are working with Ann Arbor-based JJR, which is bringing in out-of-town experts in mass transit to make it work.

The Fuller Road transit station would replace surface parking lots at the intersection of Fuller and Maiden Lane. It would connect the Border-to-Border Trail, AATA buses, the proposed Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail line, Chicago-Detroit high-speed rail line and bus rapid transit/streetcar line to downtown.

"This facility is conceived to create that gateway that would replace the Amtrak station," Cooper says.

This project is part of the Ann Arbor Connector Feasibility Study - a study that would call for creating a crescent moon-shaped line for either streetcars or bus rapid transit system or enhance bus service.

Source: Eli Cooper, transportation manager for the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke