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Feds approve $57 million for new Grand Rapids bus line

A Rapid bus in Grand Rapids.
Lindsey Smith
/
Michigan Radio
Students board The Rapid's DASH to the Hill bus. The free route serves Grand Rapids' growing 'Medical Mile' and several colleges nearby.

Grand Rapids can go forward with a $70 million transit project -- now that federal funding for it has been approved.

The city can begin work on a new, rapid bus line connecting Grand Valley State University's Allendale campus to downtown.

The Federal Transit Administration just approved a $57 million grant to help fund the so-called Laker Line. The Michigan Department of Transportation pledged $14 million.

Construction is scheduled start this spring. It should be finished by spring of 2020. 

Grand Valley accounts for 2.5 million rides on the city's buses each year, according to a university spokesman.

The Laker Line will have 14 stops and will replace the current Route 50 line.

Bryce Huffman was Michigan Radio’s West Michigan Reporter and host of Same Same Different. He is currently a reporter for Bridge Detroit.
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