[animatedmartian]

Light rail system with cost up to $700 million proposed in Ann Arbor
By Ryan Stanton. MLive Ann Arbor. February 24, 2016.



Local leaders on Wednesday discussed plans for a potentially $500-$700 million light rail system connecting Ann Arbor's busiest areas.
That includes the downtown and the University of Michigan's Central Campus, North Campus and Medical Center.

It also would go out Plymouth Road to a new Plymouth and Green park-and-ride lot, and eventually, as part of a future phase, extend south to Briarwood Mall.

"The Connector offers a transformative opportunity for the community and campuses by providing better transit access to downtown, important U-M destinations and job centers, and reducing dependence on adding more parking in core areas," Sue Gott, university planner, said in a statement.

The general idea for the Ann Arbor Connector has been around for years and has been the subject of much discussion and study, but now the vision is taking shape, and there's momentum around the idea of light rail.

Officials from the city, university, Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority and Downtown Development Authority gathered on U-M's campus on Wednesday to announce new details about the project, including the recommended mode of transportation, cost estimates, and route information.

The proposed light rail system would go in a dedicated lane, embedded largely into existing roads.

....

Officials emphasize the project is still in the early planning stages, and they're seeking public support.

They say it would require an estimated $500-$700 million in capital costs, paid for by a combination of federal and state dollars, the university, public-private partnerships, fares, local funding sources and innovative funding strategies.

If the project is approved to move forward and funded, it's still an estimated six to 12 years away from being operational.

....

http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/...t_rail_sy.html