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One of six possible routes for the Ann Arbor Connector, a proposed high-capacity transit system linking major destinations in Ann Arbor.

(URS Corp.)

New maps have been released showing the latest options for a high-capacity transit system linking some of Ann Arbor's major destinations, including downtown, University of Michigan campuses and medical center, and Briarwood Mall.

Ann Arborites are encouraged to provide feedback about the six possible Ann Arbor Connector routes at any of three public meetings this Thursday.

Click here to download a PDF of the six routes.

The Ann Arbor Connector is a developing plan for a new high-capacity transit service running from northeast to south Ann Arbor. Three potential modes of transit are being considered: bus rapid transit, streetcars and light rail.

All six possible routes start on Plymouth Road near US-23 and cut through U-M's North Campus by heading south on Murfin Avenue. Most of the routes generally follow along Fuller Road past the University Hospital and then arrive downtown via Glen Avenue, where different options arise for winding through U-M's Central Campus and the downtown, including a stop at the Blake Transit Center.

From downtown, most of the routes generally use State Street to get out to Briarwood, with a stop at the State Street commuter park-and-ride lot. One scenario contemplates using the Ann Arbor Railroad tracks.

There will be displays of the proposed routes and station locations at Thursday's meetings. Project staff and representatives from the organizations collaborating on the project will be available to answer questions and record comments.

The first meeting takes place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Malletts Creek Branch Library, 3090 E. Eisenhower Parkway.

The second meeting runs from 1-3 p.m. at the downtown Ann Arbor library at 343 S. Fifth Ave.

The third meeting will be from 6-8 p.m. at the Traverwood Branch Library, 3333 Traverwood Drive.

The timeline for the Connector study.

The first 30 minutes of each meeting will be an open house format, followed by a brief presentation and opportunities for questions and input.

This is the third in a series of public input opportunities — the first of which was in December 2012 and the second of which was in June 2013. There will be additional presentations about the Connector in 2014.

In February 2011, the city of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, Downtown Development Authority and U-M collaborated to complete a feasibility study that concluded high-capacity transit is feasible, ridership demand is sufficient, and technologies including bus rapid transit, streetcars, light rail, and elevated guideway could be used. Elevated guideway is no longer being considered.

The project is now in the alternatives analysis stage, where community input is needed to determine a locally preferred alternative, specifying the type of transit technology, service level, route configuration, station locations and costs.

The AAATA is the lead agency on the project and is using a $1.2 million federal grant to complete a $1.5 million study.

For the current phase of work, AAATA is paying $90,000, U-M is paying $150,000, and the city and DDA each agreed to pay $30,000.

The region's long-term transportation plan shows $10 million in expected costs ($8 million federal, $2 million local) for the environmental analysis and preliminary engineering phases of the Connector project in 2016.

Ryan Stanton covers Ann Arbor city hall for The Ann Arbor News. Reach him at ryanstanton@mlive.com or 734-623-2529 or follow him on Twitter.