An important period of public comment has begun in the process to shape King County Metro’s Madison RapidRide G line for a planned start of service in 2021.

The State Environmental Policy Act comment period for the planned transformation of the bus lines on Madison across First Hill, the Central District, and Capitol Hill into “Bus Rapid Transit” runs through March 1st after Seattle Department of Transportation planners have completed their environmental review of the proposals and issued a Determination of Non-Significance (PDF) for the project.

Here’s the announcement from Metro:

The public is invited to comment on the DNS. The DNS, DCE, and supporting information can be viewed in our project materials library on the project website, at the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections Public Resource Center (Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave, 20th floor); or at the following library locations:

• City of Seattle Central Library (1000 4th Ave)
• Douglass-Truth Library (2300 E Yesler Way)
• Capitol Hill Library (425 Harvard Ave E)
• Madrona-Sally Goldmark Library (1134 33rd Ave)

How To Comment

Comments must be postmarked or emailed to [email protected] by 5pm on March 1, 2018. Send written comments or request alternate formats to the attention of:

Sandra Gurkewitz
700 5th Ave, Suite 3800
PO Box 34996
Seattle, WA 98124-4996

Any interested person may appeal this DNS by submitting a Notice of Appeal and a $85.00 filing fee to the Office of the Hearing Examiner located at 700 5th Ave, Suite 4000, Seattle; mailing address: P.O. Box 94729, Seattle, WA 98124-4729; telephone: (206) 684-0521 by 5 pm on March 8, 2018.

Metro reminds that anybody filing an appeal of the determination “should be prepared to make specific factual objections.”

The $120 million+ project will create a 11-stop route designed to bring more reliable bus service and needed improvements to sidewalks and crossings along the way. 60-foot articulated buses will run every six minutes during peak times. Card readers at the station allowing riders to enter any of the five doors, 13-inch platforms making it easier for those with strollers or wheelchairs to get on the bus, and designated areas of the stations for cyclists and those in wheelchairs aim to make the loading and unloading process more efficient for riders. Cyclists can also anticipate loading their bikes inside the bus.

More than half of the project budget is dependent on federal grants. Metro announced a pushed-back timeline and latest updates for the project in January.

Updated Madison RapidRide G plans call for 2021 start of service