TheRide's park and ride lot wins PWA award

The Plymouth Road Park & Ride Lot, constructed by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (TheRide), was selected by the Metro Detroit Branch of the American Public Works Association (APWA) as its 2010 Project of the Year.

APWA awarded the recognition to TheRide for "reducing traffic congestion and improving parking availability in the City of Ann Arbor by constructing a parking facility implementing environmentally preferred best management practices."

Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment Inc. (OHM), the engineering consulting firm for the project, submitted the nomination to APWA for consideration in its "transportation less than $5 million" category.

The Park & Ride Lot was built to provide commuter parking coupled with a transit shelter internal to the site. The lot features 245 vehicular spaces, including handicap van accessible, compact parking, five-minute parking and electrical vehicle parking spaces. The parking facility also provides a standing pad, shelter and benches for bus passengers, amenities for bicycle storage and storage lockers.

The lot was dedicated in ceremonies held on May 10, 2010. Usage of the lot has grown from 60 vehicles on it first day to a current average of 150 vehicles daily.

The Park & Ride project, which was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is currently under committee review for APWA statewide recognition with a determination expected in late March, 2011.