Detroit-Area Transit Authority Set for First Meeting

County executives in southeast Michigan last week made their final appointments to a newly created four-county Regional Transit Authority.

The 10-member, four-county authority was created last year by the state Legislature to coordinate transportation in southeast Michigan. The authority, which will have the power to issue bonds, will manage federal funding for existing suburban transportation authorities and the Department of Transportation. It will also oversee and fund creation of a new light rail system along one of Detroit's main thoroughfares. It's considered key to the economic development of the Detroit region.

Macomb, Wayne, Oakland, and Washtenaw counties each named two members to the board. Detroit had one appointment. Gov. Rick Snyder appointed lawmaker and businessman Paul Hillegonds to be authority chairman.

Appointments had to be made by Tuesday. The board's first meeting is set for April.

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Transportation industry Michigan
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