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Traffic, business impacts worry Bus Rapid Transit foes

Mert's Meats photo
Courtesy photo
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Mert's Meats
The owners of Mert's Meats in Okemos are worried that business could be harmed by the BRT project.

Some Meridian Township residents and businesses are speaking out against a proposal to build a Bus Rapid Transit system extending to Okemos. We speak with two opponents of the BRT proposal.

Two days ago, we learned more about a proposed $133-million dollar overhaul of a key CATA bus route between downtown Lansing and Okemos. The agency says passengers make a total of 1.7-million rides a year on Route 1.

Supporters want to use that government money to turn Route 1 into a Bus Rapid Transit line, featuring dedicated lanes for buses and cars as well as for left turns and U-turns.

Others oppose the plan, expecting worse traffic and fewer shoppers in some stores near the route. They also complain of a lack of awareness and oversight of the BRT proposal.

Current State talks with opponents Shirley Decker, co-owner of Mert’s Meats on Grand River in Okemos, and Okemos resident Sherry Martin.

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