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Washtenaw Residents Discuss Feasibility Of 'WALLY' Mass Transit Project

Wally
Courtesy Photo
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theride.org

The North-South Commuter Rail, also known as WALLY, is a proposed project that would connect Ann Arbor and Howell with intermediate stops along the way.  A community meeting was held to inform the public on details about the project.

Four people out of twelve raised their hands at the meeting held at the Northfield Township offices in Whitmore Lake.  

Michael Benham from the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority informed residents where the commuter stops would be located.

"The first stop would be Howell. Then you'd come down through Genoa Township. You'd stop in Genoa Township, near Brighton. Then you'd stop in Hamburg, Whitmore Lake at 8 Mile, at the University, and then finally downtown Ann Arbor."

The $120 million project would help ease traffic congestion along US-23.  Federal dollars would help pay for it, but a millage will most likely be needed.  

And even though voters just rejected the Regional Transportation Authority of Southeast Michigan proposal in the general election, Bill Minnich, who attended the meeting, would vote in favor of a millage.

"It's a somewhat different need because of different areas it would serve..."

The 27 mile-long service would use existing tracks for the connections.  A timeline for the project is still being developed.

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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu.

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