An important period of public comment has begun in the process to shape King County Metro’s Madison RapidRide G line for a planned start of service in 2021.

The State Environmental Policy Act comment period for the planned transformation of the bus lines on Madison across First Hill, the Central District, and Capitol Hill into “Bus Rapid Transit” runs through March 1st after Seattle Department of Transportation planners have completed their environmental review of the proposals and issued a Determination of Non-Significance (PDF) for the project.

Here’s the announcement from Metro:

Metro reminds that anybody filing an appeal of the determination “should be prepared to make specific factual objections.”

The $120 million+ project will create a 11-stop route designed to bring more reliable bus service and needed improvements to sidewalks and crossings along the way. 60-foot articulated buses will run every six minutes during peak times. Card readers at the station allowing riders to enter any of the five doors, 13-inch platforms making it easier for those with strollers or wheelchairs to get on the bus, and designated areas of the stations for cyclists and those in wheelchairs aim to make the loading and unloading process more efficient for riders. Cyclists can also anticipate loading their bikes inside the bus.

More than half of the project budget is dependent on federal grants. Metro announced a pushed-back timeline and latest updates for the project in January.