12/3/13 - Although it was more than a decade in the making, the $32 million Latson Road/I-96 interchange project did not include a Park-and-Ride lot into plans, something thatâs not sitting well with some on the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. Federal, state and local funds helped pay for the work, with the County Board contributing $1 (m) million and the Livingston County Road Commission chipping in $1.5 (m) million. The county board previously adopted a resolution calling for construction of a carpool lot adjacent to the new interchange, as the Michigan Department of Transportation already owns a number of surrounding properties. Commissioner Steve Williams tells WHMI unfortunately, the county never received a response from Governor Snyder or M-DOT, which he says would have been common courtesy. Williams says there are limited carpool lots along the section of I-96 between Howell and Brighton, and that the carpool lot at Spencer Road could also close for a time due to a massive construction project scheduled to start next year in the Brighton area at the US-23/I-96 interchange. Williams says a carpool lot is more than justified, especially for those coming from the southern part of the county that would have to travel over the expressway and navigate traffic lights and turns before being able to access the Meijer lot off Grand River. M-DOT Spokeswoman Kari Arend told WHMI at yesterdayâs grand opening ceremony that they've been working to expand some partnerships and carpool options for commuters. Arend says they have agreements with the Meijer stores in Brighton and soon to be Genoa Township. Once the signs are up there, Arend says that lot will be an official option for commuters, which is close and less than a mile from the new interchange. (JM)
↧