RapidRide G Line – Madison St

Last updated: March 3, 2025

Passengers wait at a Madison St RapidRide station as a King County Metro G Line bus approaches, displaying "Downtown" as its destination.

Passengers wait at a newly upgraded Madison St RapidRide station as a King County Metro G Line bus approaches.

Project Overview

The RapidRide G Line – Madison St Project was one of SDOT’s largest and most complex capital projects as of 2024. We celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony in August 2024, marking substantial completion. This project transformed Madison St to shift First Hill and Capitol Hill’s main street from moving as many cars as possible to moving as many people as possible.

In addition to 1.4 miles of red bus lanes for the new G Line, SDOT’s project fixed sidewalks, added new walk and bike signals, rebuilt utilities, and created a street design to keep traffic at slower, safer speeds next to schools, small businesses, libraries, and hospitals.  

The planning for this project started in 2012 as part of the Seattle Transit Master Plan. Madison St from downtown Seattle to Madison Valley was identified as a key transit hub that needed more frequent and reliable bus service.

Project Highlights 

  • We built/replaced 3.8 miles of sidewalks
  • We completed 9.1 lane-miles of concrete roadway and 2.3 lane-miles of new asphalt overlay.
  • We added 1.4 miles of dedicated transit lanes
  • We built 21 new RapidRide stops; 10 paired stops in each direction and one on First Avenue
  • We built 4 new center-running stations between 7th and 13th Avenues
  • We installed 5 new traffic signals and upgraded 36 existing signals 
  • We planted 108 new trees throughout the project area (some final tree planting will be done this fall) 

Mayor Harrell, elected officials, agency staff, and community partners cut the ribbon on the RapidRide G Line - Madison St project in Capitol Hill.

Mayor Harrell, elected officials, agency staff, and community partners cut the ribbon on the RapidRide G Line - Madison St project in Capitol Hill. (Photo SDOT)

Project Benefits 

  • Community Benefit: The improved corridor connects communities along Madison St. making it easier for people to get to medical appointments, work, school, grocery stores, or visit a family member or friend. 
  • Comfort and Accessibility: New sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, street lights, and curb bulbs make walking convenient and comfortable so people can easily get to the bus stop.
  • Bus Improvements: 1.4 miles of dedicated bus lanes, designed to cut down travel time and improve reliability by minimizing traffic congestion and raised center stations speed up boarding, and reduce conflicts with other vehicles.
  • Sustainability at Heart: By choosing public transportation, riders contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fostering a more sustainable city for future generations.
  • Maintain & Modernize our Infrastructure:  This isn’t just a transit project. We also replaced a 120-year-old water main, improved the drainage and wastewater system on Madison, and improved Seattle City Lights’s power distribution system.   

A Collaborative Effort 

This project was made possible thanks to the collaboration between the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and King County Metro, in partnership with federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration, President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, Sound Transit, and support from Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities. 

RapidRide G Line 

King County Metro’s new RapidRide G Line service began on September 14, connecting Downtown Seattle with the Central District and Madison Valley. Riders will experience frequent, reliable bus service with buses arriving every six minutes most of the day. The new Madison St is tailored to keep buses moving and help people walk, roll, and bike to and from new well-lit stations.  

Visit King County Metro’s RapidRide webpage to learn more about the benefits of RapidRide and other RapidRide routes.  

Project Area

Project features map

The project went through a rigorous process to develop the design with community input and secure federal funding to cover almost half of the project cost. The project is designed to meet the following goals:  

Transit reliability 

  • Buses will come every 6 minutes most of the day
  • Bus only lanes and bus priority at traffic signals reduce travel time (by 5 minutes from Colman Dock to Madison Valley) and improve reliability
  • All-door boarding and doors on both sides, so people can board efficiently from new center-running stations (between 9th Ave and 13th Ave)
  • ORCA readers at the stations to pay before boarding
  • Real-time bus arrival information at stations 

Accessibility 

  • Station platforms level with bus so no stairs to climb
  • New curb bulbs, crosswalks, sidewalks, curb ramps, and bike lanes in sections 

Equity 

  • Serves historically underserved neighborhoods with an affordable and reliable transportation option
  • Improved reliability and accessibility makes riding the bus a better transportation option for people who rely on taking the bus now and in the future  

Upgrades and vibrancy 

  • Updated utilities and street paving
  • New art and landscaping 

Street and lane layout 

  • We changed the lane layout, including widening Madison by 1 to 2 feet in several locations  
  • The project included repaving with 9.1 lane-miles of concrete roadway and 2.3 lane-miles of new asphalt overlay
  • We installed 5 new traffic signals (8th Ave and Spring St, 10th Ave and Madison St, 18th Ave and Madison St, 19th Ave and Union St, Harrison St and MLK) and upgraded 36 existing signals 
  • We added 1.4 miles of dedicated transit lanes 

Bus infrastructure  

  • We built a bus layover facility, where King County Metro bus operators of the RapidRide G Line can park buses and take their mandated rest breaks. 
  • We built 21 new RapidRide stops; 10 paired stops in each direction and one on First Avenue
  • We upgraded 2 existing bus stops
  • We built 4 new center-running stations between 7th and 13th Avenues
  • Many of the new bus stops feature real-time information systems (arrival estimates), off-board payment readers, new handrails, bumpers, glass and paint, trash cans
  • We installed new poles and relocated some overhead trolley wires to match the new street layout  

Utilities 

  • We upgraded the streetlight network in the First Hill neighborhood, and made additional improvements to streetlights, and the power distribution system managed by Seattle City Lights throughout the project area
  • Installed detention tanks to manage stormwater runoff (Madison St between 12th and 13th Avenues, 10th between Madison and Seneca streets, and E Pine St between 15th and 16th Avenues)
  • We replaced a 120-yeard old water main east of Broadway, improved drainage and wastewater system on Madison St 

Walking, biking, and community infrastructure  

  • 3.8 miles of sidewalks were either newly built or replaced
  • We built curb bulbs to shorten pedestrian crossings along side streets (Madison St at the intersections of Minor Ave, 10th Ave, 12th Ave, Union St, Pike St, 15th Ave, 18th Ave, 19th Ave, Denny St, John St, and 27th Ave; Spring St at the intersections of 7th, 8th, and 9th Avenues)
  • We built new and upgraded many existing curb ramps
  • We planted 108 new trees throughout the project area, and added significant landscaping enhancements on Madison St over I-5
  • This project included a public art installation at Madison St, where 14th Ave, and Pike St converge
  • We added bike connections  

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has allocated $80.5 million in federal funding to the Madison Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) - RapidRide G Line project*. This funding covers about 60% of the total project costs. Other funding sources for the project include the Move Seattle Levy, Sound Transit ST3, King County, and Washington State funds. 


*Federal funding sources include: $59.9 million from the Small Starts Program; $9.6 million from Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grants; and $10.9 million from the 2021 American Recovery Plan Act  

We built the RapidRide G Line – Madison St project to connect downtown Seattle with First Hill, Capitol Hill, the Central Area, and Madison Valley. The project features 1.4 miles of bus-only lanes and new 60-foot buses with five doors, allowing passengers to board from the curb or center island stations. We also replaced a 120-year-old water main, upgraded drainage and wastewater systems, improved streetlights, and updated Seattle City Light’s power grid.

Why was the RapidRide G Line project designed?

We designed the RapidRide G Line – Madison St project to make transit more reliable and accessible in Seattle's busiest neighborhoods. With buses running every 6 minutes most of the day, and dedicated lanes to cut down travel time, our goal is to provide a dependable and efficient way to get around.

When did the planning and construction phases of the RapidRide G Line project begin and end?

Planning began in 2012 as part of the Seattle Transit Master Plan. Construction started in late 2021 and was mostly completed by summer 2024.

Who led the RapidRide G Line project construction and what partners were involved?

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) led the project in partnership with King County Metro, which managed the procurement of new buses and operates the new RapidRide G Line. Community input, federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration, support from President Biden's American Rescue Plan, and funding from Sound Transit, along with additional support and partnership from Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utilities were crucial in making this project a reality.

Project Schedule, Progress, and Milestones

Timeline Activities/Milestones
Jan 2013 - May 2014 Project scope defined
Jun 2014 - Apr 2015 Developed and analyzed concept design alternatives, began community engagement
May 2015 - Oct 2015 Refined concept design with community engagement
Nov 2015 Finalized and shared draft concept design
Feb 2016 City Council approved concept design to move forward (also called Locally Preferred Alternative)
Feb - May 2016 Validated cost assumptions from concept design before beginning early design
Spr/Sum 2016 Community engagement on early design, including individual meetings, community briefings, and a series of open houses in August
Jan - Feb 2017 Met with property and business owners to discuss construction options and parking and loading needs
March 2017 2 public meetings (March 9 and 15) and an online open house to share latest project design and get public feedback
Spr/Sum/Fall 2017 Continued the design process; worked with property owners, businesses, and residents to complete construction phasing plan; conducted environmental review 
Feb - Mar 2018 SEPA Determination of Non-Significance comment period (February 25 through March 1); SEPA Appeal Period (March 1 through March 8)
Summer 2020 Received the final Readiness and Risk Report from the Federal Transit Administration 
Fall 2020 Final design
Late 2020 Secure Federal Small Starts Grant and finalize funding agreements with Sound Transit and Seattle City Council
Fall 2021 Construction begins
Summer 2024 All major construction is completed. Finishing touches will be completed in the coming months 
Fall 2024 RapidRide G Line service starts on September 14, 2024 

Legend: Check mark is completed work. Traffic cone is work in progress.

Downtown

First Hill

Capitol Hill

Madison Valley

Rebuild the street

Removed trees, excavated roads, applied temporary street markings, repaved many sections of the street

Completed permanent street markings in areas where paving is completed, including red bus lanes, green bike lanes, and crosswalks. Completed all permanent street markings on Spring St.

Upgraded existing drainage system, including new inlets and catch basins under the street

Paved few remaining sections of Madison St

Completed remaining street markings on Madison St and install final signage

Removed trees, excavated roads, applied temporary street markings, repaved many sections of the street

Started to apply final street markings in areas where paving is complete

Upgraded existing drainage system, including new inlets and catch basins under the street

Completed remaining paving

Completed final street markings once paving is completed and install final signage

Removed trees, excavated roads, installed temporary street markings, repaved many sections of the street

Started to apply final street markings in areas where paving is complete

Upgraded existing drainage system, including new inlets and catch basins under the street

Completed remaining paving

Completed final street markings once paving is completed and install final signage

Removed trees, excavated roads, applied temporary pavement markings, repaved sections of the street

Upgraded existing drainage system, including new inlets and catch basins under the street

Completed remaining paving

Applied final street markings once paving is completed and install final signage

Replace sidewalks, build curb bulbs, and new or upgraded curb ramps

Demolished existing sidewalks and relocated and installed underground utilities

Built accessible curb ramps and replaced most of the sidewalks

Completed remaining curb ramps and sidewalk repairs at some corners 

Demolished existing sidewalks and relocated and installed underground utilities

Built accessible curb ramps and replaced many sections of the sidewalk

Built new curb bulbs on Spring St at the intersections of 7th Ave and 8th Ave, and at Madison St and Minor Ave

Completed remaining curb ramps and replacing sections of the sidewalk

Demolished existing sidewalks and relocated and installed underground utilities

Built accessible curb ramps, rebuilt many sections of the sidewalk

Built new curb bulbs at the intersections of Madison St and 10th Ave, Union St and Denny Way

Completed remaining curb ramps and replacing sections of the sidewalk

Built remaining new curb bulbs at the intersections of Madison St , Pike St, 12th Ave, 15th Ave, 18th Ave, and 19th Ave

Installed public art where Madison St, 14th Ave, and Pike St converge

Demolished existing sidewalks and relocated and installed underground utilities

Built accessible curb ramps and replaced many sections of the sidewalk

Built new raised crosswalk at 24th Ave E and new curb bulb at Madison St and John St

Completed remaining curb ramps and replacing sections of the sidewalk

Built remaining new curb bulb at Madison St and 27th Ave

Install new and upgraded traffic signals

Removed existing signals and installed temporary signals

Installed and relocated conduit for new streetlights and signals

Installed new signal poles other elements for upgraded signals, including cabinets, lights, pedestrian push buttons, transit priority lights, improved communication systems and vehicle detection

Turned on upgraded signals at 7th Ave and Madison St and 7th Ave and Spring St

Finished installing remaining signal poles other remaining other elements for upgraded signals, and turn on remaining upgraded signals

Removed remaining temporary signals

Removed existing signals and installed temporary signals

Installed and relocated conduit for new streetlights and signals

Installed new signal poles other elements for upgraded signals, including cabinets, lights, pedestrian push buttons, transit priority lights, improved communication systems and vehicle detection

Turned on upgraded signals at 8th Ave and Madison St

Turned on new pedestrian signal at Terry Ave and Madison St.

Finished installing remaining signal poles other remaining other elements for upgraded signals, and turn on remaining upgraded signals

Turned on new signal at 9th Ave and Spring St.

Removed remaining temporary signals

Removed existing signals and installed temporary signals

Installed and relocated conduit for new streetlights and signals

Installed new signal poles other elements for upgraded signals, including cabinets, lights, pedestrian push buttons, transit priority lights, improved communication systems and vehicle detection

Turned on upgraded signals at E Denny Way/22nd Ave and E Madison

Finish installing remaining signal poles, streetlights, other remaining other elements for upgraded signals, and turn on remaining upgraded signals

Turned on new traffic signals at: 10th Ave and Madison St; 18th Ave and Madison St; 19th Ave and Union St

Removed remaining temporary signals

Remove existing signals and installed temporary signals and streetlights

Installed and relocated conduit for new streetlights and signals

Installed new signal poles other elements for upgraded signals, including cabinets, lights, pedestrian push buttons, transit priority lights, improved communication systems and vehicle detection

Finished installing remaining signal poles, streetlights, other remaining other elements for upgraded signals, and turn on upgraded signals

Turned on new traffic signal at Martin Luther King Jr Way and Harrison St

Removed remaining temporary signals

Build new bus stations and improved bus stops

Removed existing bus shelters, installed foundations for new bus stops, installed electrical conduit and relocated utilities at bus stops

Removed old trolley wires on Madison St between 5th Ave and 6th Ave and installed new trolley wire poles

Built new bus platforms, install new bus shelters and other bus stop amenities

Removed existing bus shelters, installed foundations for new bus stops, installed electrical conduit and relocated utilities at bus stops

Removed old trolley wire poles and installed new poles

Installed electrical conduit and relocated utilities

Build new bus platforms, install new bus shelters and other bus stop amenities

Installed remaining new trolley wire poles

Completed new center-running bus stations on Madison St at 8th Ave, Terry Ave, and Boylston Ave

Removed existing bus shelters, installed foundations for new bus stops, installed electrical conduit and relocated utilities at bus stops

Removed old trolley wire poles and installed new poles

Installed electrical conduit and relocated utilities

Built new bus platforms, install new bus shelters and other bus stop amenities

Installed remaining new trolley wire poles

Completed new center-running bus station on Madison St and 12th Ave

Removed many existing bus shelters, installed foundations for new bus stops, installed electrical conduit and relocated utilities at bus stops

Continued installing foundations, electrical conduit, and relocating utilities

Finished removing existing shelters

Built new bus platforms, install new bus shelters and other bus stop amenities

Poured foundation for new driver comfort station

Built the new bus layover area including road paving and street markings

Built remaining elements of the new comfort station including the building framing, siding, roofing, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing systems

Plant new landscaping and street trees

Installed flexi-pave around tree pits and started planting new trees and landscaping

Continued installing remaining flexi-pave, new trees, and landscaping

Installed new planters on Madison St over I-5

Installed flexi-pave around tree pits and started planting new trees and landscaping

Continued installing remaining flexi-pave, new trees, and landscaping

Installed flexi-pave around tree pits and started planting new trees and landscaping

Continued installing remaining flexi-pave, new trees, and landscaping

Installed flexi-pave around tree pits and started planting new trees and landscaping

Continued installing remaining flexi-pave, new trees, and landscaping

Replace and build new underground water and sewer utilities

Built 3 new underground stormwater storage tanks (10th Ave between Madison St and Union St, Madison St between 12th Ave and 13th Ave, and E Pine St between 15th Ave and 16th Ave)

Replaced a 120-year-old water and sewer line

Upgraded fire hydrants

Replaced a 120-year-old water and sewer line

Upgraded fire hydrants

Project Design by Neighborhood

This project went through a rigorous process to develop the design with community input. Explore the design for each neighborhood: 

Rendering 

Rendering of Central Library with a station shelter, real time arrival info, and new station platform Rendering at Central Library shows a station shelter, real time arrival info, station platform at the same level as the bus, and bus lane.

Final Design Plan

1st Ave to 5th Ave (PDF, 2.8 MB)

Rendering

Rendering at Madison St and Terry Ave

Rendering at Madison St and Terry Ave shows a center-running station, pedestrian refuge (protected space to wait in the middle of the street), center-running bus lanes, new curb ramps, landscaping, station shelters, and real-time arrival info.

Final Design Plan 

6th Ave to Terry St (PDF, 8 MB) 
Boren Ave to Broadway (PDF, 6.7 MB) 

Future street design 

Looks at 6th Ave and 7th Ave

Typical cross section on Madison St between 6th Ave and 7th Ave (looking east). The future street design will have 2 westbound right turn lanes, a westbound general purpose lane, a westbound bus lane, and a eastbound general purpose lane.  

Future Madison between 7th and 8th

Typical cross section on Madison St between 7th Ave and 8th Ave (looking east). The future street design will have two westbound general-purpose lanes, a center-running bus station and platform, a westbound bus lane, and one eastbound general-purpose lane. 

Future Madison St and Summit Ave

Typical cross section on Madison St between Summit Ave and Boylston Ave (looking east). The future street design will have one westbound general purpose lane, one center-running bus station and platform, one eastbound and one westbound bus lane, and one eastbound general purpose lane. 

Rendering

Rendering at E Madison St and 12th Ave

Rendering at E Madison St and 12th Ave shows a center-running station, new curb ramps, pedestrian refuge (protected space to wait in the middle of the street), bus lanes, landscaping, and new curb ramps.

Final Design Plan 

Future Street Design

Typical cross section on E Madison St between 16th Ave and 17th Ave (looking east).

A typical cross section on E Madison St between 16th Ave and 17th Ave (looking east). The future street design will have a westbound bus lane and right turn lane, a westbound general purpose lane, an eastbound general purpose lane, and a eastbound bus lane and right turn lane.

Rendering

Rendering at E Madison St and E John St

Rendering at E Madison St and E John St shows a station platform level with the bus, bus lane, new curb ramp, yellow tactile strip for accessibility, station shelter, and real-time arrival info.

Final Design Plan 

New left turn restrictions 

The new center-running stations and center bus lanes require restricting left turns at several intersections. People driving will need to use alternate routes and make left turns where they are permitted. Click on the links below to see maps showing intersections where left turns will be restricted and alternative routes for drivers.

Progress Photo Gallery

RapidRide G | Best Of

Resources

August 2024

February 2022

January 2022

September 2021

August 2021

December 2020

November 2020

October 2020

August 2020

June 2020

February 2020

January 2020

November 2019

September 2019

July 2019

March 2019

October 2018

July 2018

February 2018

NEPA Documented Categorical Exclusion Appendices:

January 2018 

Fall 2017

Summer 2017 

Spring 2017

March 2017

February 2017

January 2017

November 2016

August 2016

July 2016

January 22, 2016 City Council Meeting 

November 16, 2015 Open House

October 2015

July 2015

May 2015 Online Survey Results In May, the Madison Street BRT project hosted an online survey to seek input on: BRT design options, routing, terminals, and station location priorities for transit service and capital investment design concepts for a Central Area protected bike laneThe results of the survey can be found here.May 2015 Open House

Design Sheets (*Draft concepts for analysis purposes - NOT final designs*) 

Reports

January 2015 Online Survey

November 20, 2014 Open House

September 30, 2014 Open House

September 2014 - Stakeholder Outreach 

Materials

Transportation

Adiam Emery, Interim Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34996, Seattle, WA, 98124-4996
Phone: (206) 684-7623
684-Road@seattle.gov

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