Happy birthday, RapidRide G

RapidRide G, which connects First Hill, Capitol Hill, and Madison Valley, celebrates its first year with over 49,000 service hours provided by Metro. The line now ranks as the 12th busiest route, averaging about 6,300 daily riders, though this is half of initial projections. Early surveys show riders prefer the G line over regular routes, contributing to an 80 percent increase in weekday ridership on closely aligned routes. The $134 million project, which included $60 million in federal funding, faced significant construction challenges over three years, reshaping traffic patterns on Madison Avenue. Local businesses express frustration over traffic alterations that hinder customer access, with reports of declining sales.

Businesses like Pacific Supply and La Spiga have experienced reduced revenue, attributing the decline to confusing traffic patterns that limit access to their locations. Jordan Lewis, a Capitol Hill resident, reflects on the construction's notoriety while acknowledging the project's benefits. Despite the G line's success in boosting public transit use, the challenges it poses for local businesses highlight the complexities of urban transit planning.