Route Planning for Proposed Milwaukee Bus Rapid Transit Lane Intensifies

"[T]he Milwaukee Common Council unanimously approved restricting the use of dedicated lanes on a substantial portion of the county’s proposed East-West Bus Rapid Transit line," reports Jeramey Jannene.

The vote is one sign of discord over the project's planning at the city level. Alderman Robert Bauman, for instance, has criticized the planned route for the line, which would run for nine miles through Wauwatosa and Milwaukee "from a park and ride lot just northwest of the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center to the proposed The Couture tower on on [sic] the lakefront." Jannene allows Ald. Bauman an opportunity to look around the country for examples of BRT projects that Milwaukee should emulate.

Jannene followed up with Ald. Bauman, who is a staunch advocate for public transit, dating back to his earlier career, about other possibilities for the route. Ald. Bauman recommends the new BRT line follows the path of a light rail line proposed in 1996 as part of a failed regional system.

"The BRT project is seeking a grant from the federal government to fund up to 80 percent of its estimated $48 million cost. The project would be operated by the Milwaukee County Transit System," adds Jannene. The article also includes additional links for more background on the project.