[LMich]

This was news back in late April that I missed, but Lansing's Michigan/Grand River Avenue BRT line has taken a formal step forward, moving into the FTA's Project Development Phase. The press release:

CATA Bus Rapid Transit Advances to Project Development Phase

CATA Laurie Robison, Director of Marketing

April 25, 2013

Lansing, MI – It’s been said that the waiting is the hardest part. When it comes to the Capital Area Transportation Authority’s Bus Rapid Transit – which was approved this month by the Federal Transit Administration to advance into project development – truer words cannot be spoken.

“CATA and its regional partners from both the public and private sectors – we are all thrilled by the good news,” said Sandy Draggoo, CATA CEO/Executive Director.

In September 2011, following an extensive study and upon determining that the BRT is the locally preferred alternative to address transportation issues along the Michigan/Grand River Avenue corridor, CATA submitted the BRT project for acceptance into the FTA’s Section 5309 Small Starts program and approval to move to the next step, called project development.

“Once funding is secured, CATA can proceed with the environmental review process, as well as engineering and design activities for FTA evaluation and ratings, all of which could position the BRT for future federal funding for this project,” Draggoo explained.

The BRT, or high-capacity buses operating in dedicated center-running bus lanes, would serve 28 stations and allow CATA to offer more efficient travel times, fewer stops, and greatly enhanced service along the eight-mile stretch of roadway between the Capitol in downtown Lansing and the Meridian Mall. Similar BRT systems have been effective catalysts in spurring economic development within corridor regions.