CATA wants to tear up Michigan Avenue to create a Bus Rapid Transit line that runs through downtown Lansing to destinations like the Meridian Mall. But people in Meridian Township have said they want no part of it.
"This is a solution to a problem, but the problem is not here in Lansing, it's not in East Lansing, and it's not needed in Meridian Township period," Jeff Neilson, who has vocally opposed the BRT in many Meridian Township Board meetings and CATA meetings.
CATA has held a couple of meetings to hear the public's concerns, and CEO Sandy Draggoo says there's still time to address them.
"The plan is only 30-percent engineered as we have kept saying and so the CATA board will have to decide on going forward, we can go forward and then work on some of these concerns," Draggoo said.
Meridian Township's Board has officially opposed the BRT. If it doesn't change its mind, Draggoo says CATA may move forward with a plan that doesn't include the Township's support.
"It could be an option, it could be an option," Draggoo said. "It's hard to say."
Neilson owns a business on Grand River he says would be hurt by the bus line. He says the line is too expensive and not necessary for the region. He'd be fine with the BRT line stopping before it gets to Meridian Township.
"That would work wonderful, it really would," Neilson said.
Draggoo says CATA plans to address the questions and concerns that came up at its public meetings.
If you would like to send in a comment on the plan, you can click on this link and fill out the form.
