MARP Member Meeting
Saturday, March 12, 2016
10 am – Noon
Cleary’s Pub
117 East Grand River Avenue, Howell MI 48843
MARP’s next general membership meeting will be held on Saturday, March 12, at Cleary’s Pub in Howell MI. Click on the link above for driving directions. You can park on the street or in the free lot located behind the pub.
Our featured speaker will be Michael Benham who is the Special Assistant for Strategic Planning at the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority. As such, he is responsible for guiding the planning for one of Michigan’s first commuter rail projects. The North-South Commuter Rail Project, otherwise known as the WALLY, is seen as a cost-effective alternative to ease traffic congestion along US-23 between Howell and Ann Arbor, as well as a spur to economic development and job creation opportunities in the region.
Mr. Benham will provide an update on the technical study currently underway. This detailed study is developing ridership and cost estimates, considering locations for stations and maintenance facilities, looking at governance and funding considerations, as well as reviewing possible alternatives, such as express bus service and high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on US-23.
We hope to be joined by members of The Friends of WALLY, a grassroots organization working to build support for the commuter rail project. Several MARP members are among those who are working to see this project become a reality.
Following the business meeting, we will continue conversations over our usual non-host lunch. Cleary’s Pub enjoys a reputation for excellent food!
If you are interested in ride-sharing to the meeting, please respond to this email. And – a gentle reminder – if you have not yet paid your 2016 membership dues, please click here NOW to pay online or click here to download a mail-in form.
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS