After three years and $144 million, most of the detours and construction cones are finally gone from Madison Street.
Why it matters: The project, one of the city’s largest and most complex, reflects a broader shift in urban planning — prioritizing the movement of people over cars.
- The City of Seattle says the project is meant to transform Madison Street into a community-oriented “main street” rather than just a traffic corridor.
- The years of construction affected several neighborhoods, from Madison Valley to Capitol Hill to downtown.
The big picture: The addition of the RapidRide G bus line, a key part of the overhaul, introduced buses that will arrive every six minutes.
- The revamp also added curbs and other features that make the street more accessible to people with disabilities and redesigns to slow traffic near schools, small businesses, libraries and hospitals, per the city.
What they’re saying: Local leaders say they hope the new bus line will not only ease travel between downtown Seattle and nearby neighborhoods, but also promote a shift away from car dependency.