By Bex Cane
Northside News
The City of Madison’s Metro Transit Department recently held several public meetings and information sessions regarding the planned expansion of Madison’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. These bus lines are intended to deliver faster and more reliable service for longer bus trips, with larger buses, fewer stops, and more dedicated infrastructure.
The planned expansion would add a north-south route to the existing east-west BRT, replacing the existing B route, with terminals on Kennedy Road and Fitchburg’s McKee Road. Through the isthmus, the new route will use the existing stations and lanes from Rapid Route A, with about 9.1 miles of new capability added beyond that segment.
Along with new median stations and charging infrastructure for the recently adopted all-electric buses, the project will entail more extensive reconstruction of some sections of roadway, most notably on Park Street, as well as changes to traffic flow and improvements to other features. Current plans include four traffic lights to be added at various intersections and a number of left turns to be disallowed. Other improvements will include widened sidewalks in some locations, as well as adjustments to electric, water and other utilities.
The project will go through several further stages of planning before commencing, with additional public information and opportunities for input. At this time, the first construction for the new route is planned to start late this year, with full completion of all construction in late 2028.
Further adjustments to details of these plans are expected over the next few months.
