Madison, Wis., revises two BRT stations following local business concerns
On July 12, Madison, Wis., unveiled updated renderings for two stations that would be part of the city’s proposed bus rapid transit line (BRT). The stations would be located on State Street and were revised following concerns that were expressed by a group of business owners that the large size of the stations would negatively impact their businesses.
The business owners stressed they were not opposed to the East-West BRT project, only the location and size of the State Street stations. State Street in downtown Madison is an eight-block road open to buses, bikes and authorized vehicles. The three-block section of street in question would host two BRT stations before the route leaves the street.
The revised design features 50-foot platforms, reduced from 75-foot platforms; reduced shelter sizes that will match the size of existing shelters; more transparent shelters to make it easier to view storefront windows; and a reduced impact on stores, sidewalk cafés and street vending areas through their street positions.
“We have been listening to and working to address the concerns of State Street businesses over the past several years. Today, we are releasing a modified BRT station design which is more context sensitive and will improve the transit situation for the entire street,” said Transportation Director Tom Lynch.
The city explained the Locally Preferred Alternative was approved by the Common Council in January 2021 and the Locally Preferred Routing Plan was evaluated by the Federal Transportation Administration, assigned a medium-high rating and recommended for $80 million in funding in the FY 2022 Federal Transportation Budget. The city believes any delay could put the project, as well as the jobs it would bring, at risk, which could threaten Madison’s transportation future.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
