According to the Wisconsin State Journal, late last week, Madison’s Downtown Coordinating Committee informally recommended a pilot program to turn the 400–600 blocks of State Street into a pedestrian and bicycle mall. The move follows the removal of Metro Transit buses from those blocks.
Details on the pilot program are expected to be introduced on July 11 in a resolution to the City Council. The council decision and pilot program starting dates could come as soon as the end of July and beginning of August, respectively.
Plans for the pilot program have drawn some questions, including whether bicyclists and pedestrians will be separated. Other concerns have included the street’s 24-foot width, given the requirement of a 20-foot-wide fire lane by code, and how deliveries to stores would be feasible given the change.
Buses continue to use the 100–300 blocks of State Street — nearest Capitol Square — and Bus Rapid Transit will operate there with special stops beginning in late 2024.
