Milwaukee County is set to enhance its transit services with the support of a $21 million federal grant. County Executive David Crowley announced yesterday that the Milwaukee County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will apply the funding to improve the PurpleLine bus route along North-South 27th Street. The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) through the BUILD program, is intended to upgrade service for the PurpleLine, which serves more than 1.2 million riders each year.
In his announcement, Crowley emphasized the broader community impact of the grant, stating, “I will partner and collaborate with anyone to deliver results and investments for Milwaukee County.” He also acknowledged the importance of the federal funding in helping to “support our residents who are traveling to work, school, healthcare, and other essential services.” These improvements, he noted, are expected to enhance service and accessibility, stimulate economic growth, and improve public safety along this major transit route. According to a press release from the Milwaukee County Executive's Office, the BUILD program funds surface transportation infrastructure projects that demonstrate significant local or regional impact.
Improvements to the 18-mile PurpleLine will cover various aspects of the transit infrastructure. Commuters can expect to see their travel times decrease by up to 31% due to traffic signal optimizations. New bus shelters at 69 stops are in the works, providing shelter for those awaiting the bus, an especially welcome addition to the 15 stops that are currently lacking this basic amenity. MCTS also plans to implement new bus islands and sidewalk landing areas, alongside raised transit platforms at high ridership stops, which will greatly benefit riders with mobility issues.
Stakeholder input will play a key role as the county moves into the design and coordination phases of the project. The primary objective remains to deliver a transit system that is more accessible, reliable, and safe for Milwaukee County residents. With attention to the needs of transit users, pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers, MCTS plans to implement the planned improvements by 2027. The BUILD grant originated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and operated under annual appropriations until its formal authorization in November 2021.
