Three Transportation Grants to Go to Detroit Area and Grand Rapids

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, both D-Mich., announced $9,574,298 in grants for bus service in the Detroit Metro area and Grand Rapids. The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) will receive $3,923,500 for fixed route buses and Grand Rapids will receive $5,650,798 for two bus projects. All funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“Improving our public transportation is important to help people get to work and reduce the number of cars on our roads,” said Stabenow.  “These investments in Detroit and Grand Rapids will help ensure the safety and efficiency for residents and commuters in these cities.”

“Maintaining and updating our public transportation systems is an important aspect of restoring economic vitality to our cities,” Levin said. “These projects will provide lasting benefits to Detroit and Grand Rapids, and will spur job growth today.”

SMART will receive $3,923,500 to replace engines on up to 86 buses.

The Interurban Transit Partnership in Grand Rapids will receive $5,056,798 to purchase 21 low floor 40-foot replacement buses with spare parts for routes in the metropolitan Grand Rapids Area.

It will also receive $594,000 for the preliminary design, engineering and environmental work for development of the Bus Rapid Transit Silver Line. The proposed 9.8 mile line would run from downtown Grand Rapids south along Division Avenue to the 60 th Street/Division Avenue intersection.

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