More mass transit funding is making its way into Ann Arbor courtesy of the feds.

The U.S. Dept of Transportation has awarded the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority $2.3 million as part of the $34.6 million Michigan received in federal transportation fund last week. The money ($700,000) is primarily geared toward rebuilding U-M's Central Campus Transit Center and improving AATA's bus storage facilities.

Earlier this year, U-M decided to redevelop its transit center along North University Street by the university's Chemistry building. The new bigger and better transit center will have more space for bus loading, storage and be more accessible and user friendly to the primarily student patrons. It will service both U-M and AATA buses.

"It's a key transfer location," says Mary Stasiak, a spokeswoman for AATA.

The $4.5 million project was designed by the U-M Dept of Architecture and Hubbell, Roth & Clark. Construction will begin shortly and finish by this fall.

Another $1 million will go toward improving AATA's bus storage facilities. More money ($220,000) will help improve bus stops and pedestrian safety around them. Some of the money will also be used to help maintain service to the Ypsilanti.

Source: U.S. Dept of Transportation and Mary Stasiak, a spokeswoman for Ann Arbor Transportation Authority
Writer: Jon Zemke