According to the Grand Rapids Press:
"A plan to build a near 10-mile express bus line to serve communities south of Grand Rapids moved from concept to reality today with news that federal approval needed to eventually secure money for the project has been given.
U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, said a formal announcement that project is in the funding pipeline is expected this week from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Which means federal funds could be available as soon as next fall to begin design on a bus-only lane on South Division Avenue from downtown Grand Rapids to 60th Street.
"It’s going to happen," said Peter Varga, executive director of the agency that operates The Rapid public bus system. "It’s just a question of when will the money be available." Varga said depending on when funding is secured in a federal transportation bill, the line could begin operating in 2011 or 2012.
Local transit officials hope to link the system with a downtown street car system that is under study.
Ehler’s spokesman Kevan Chapman said the congressman plans to work with the FTA to get enough money to cover 80 percent to the total project cost, which is almost $30 million. Varga said the state of Michigan needs to kick in a little more than $7 million to get the federal funds. Varga said early next year he will begin working with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and local lawmakers to ensure the money is included in next year’s state budget.
BY THE NUMBERS
Total cost: $33.6 million
Route length: 9.87 miles
Frequency: 10 minutes
Station Stops: 19 (including downtown central station)