New preview of planned Bus Rapid Transit

Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) wants your input on the planned Bus Rapid Transit line. Specifically, MCTS wants to know what you think about where these bus lanes should go. The BRT, as it's called, would go from Lakefront to Wauwatosa, and there are several possibilities of where the bus lanes would be traced out. Bus Rapid Transit has it's own lane, and on some parts of the nine-mile route, travel lanes or street parking may go away. Along the stretch on Bluemound Road near Hawley Road, business owner Carrie Marble isn't too thrilled with the possibility of a travel lane going away.

"Unfortunately, we already have a lot of traffic, Brewers season is quite long, and it's already overcroweded," Marble said.

The project could cost as much as $48 million, including new buses, new bus stops and traffic signals dedicated to the buses. Federal grant money would pay for a majority of the project.

"Right now, our buses are just like the drivers, we're fighting with traffic, too, we're dealing with congestion," said Brendan Conway, spokesperson for MCTS.

Conway said the project would improve congestion.

"No longer do you have that bus that's kind of going in and out of traffic, pulling over every two blocks, pulling out, can create some issues, you're not stuck behind a bus," Conway added that buses would also stay closer to schedule.

"Sounds great to me," said Sandra Solomon, who depends heavily on MCTS buses. "Even getting to from Milwaukee out to different parts of the suburbs would be nice also."

There are two meetings scheduled for you to learn more about the Bus Rapid Transit line: Wednesday, June 7, 2017 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Marquette University High School, 3306 W. Michigan Street in Milwaukee. The second is on Thursday, June 8, 2017 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Zoofari Center, 9715 W. BluemoundRoad Milwaukee.