Madison East-West Bus Rapid Transit
2026 Engineering Excellence Best of State
Entering Firms: AECOM & Strand Associates Inc.
Client: City of Madison
The City of Madison’s pursuit of enhanced transit spanned more than three decades. Momentum shifted in 2018 when the City selected bus rapid transit (BRT) as its plan. Goals included increased economic opportunity by improving access to jobs, education, and health care, while providing long-term certainty that supports private investment along the corridor.
Engineers weaved fast, reliable public transit into a bustling city environment, delivering accessible transportation for all.
AECOM and Strand helped define a project that met important federal grant requirements while navigating a challenging inflationary environment.
The team applied innovative route planning, financial strategies, and an accelerated design approach. The result is a high-frequency, reliable transit system powered by battery-electric buses that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and noise.
Project improvements include dedicated bus lanes, modern stations selected through a public design competition, and enhanced pedestrian and bicycle connections. The project required extensive coordination, innovative engineering, and careful integration within an active urban corridor.
“The Madison East–West BRT project delivers a complex transportation system that meaningfully improves mobility, equity, and reliability across the city. It demonstrates how engineering can directly enhance community connectivity and long-term sustainability.”
- Awards Judge Wes Reynolds
The East–West BRT Project has exceeded expectations and establishes a new benchmark for public transit in Wisconsin. Ridership increased 55 percent between March 2024 and March 2025 and April ridership reached its highest level since 2015. These results affirm decades of planning and demonstrate how strategic partnerships and thoughtful engineering can deliver transformative, community-driven transit solutions.