10 Most Popular Articles of 2020

E-W BRT Wisconsin and Water – Eastbound Rendering. Rendering courtesy of the Milwaukee County Transit System.

The list of our most popular Transportation articles couldn’t look more different from 2019.

A year ago the list was dominated by The Hop streetcar system and scooters. In 2020 neither topic appeared on the list.

The most popular topic in 2020 was the Milwaukee County Transit System, the region’s largest mass transit system.

But the most popular article? It’s about a west side project to improve safety for motorists and cyclists alike.

10. Milwaukee Area Receives $62 Million in COVID-19 Mass Transit Aid

MCTS will receive over $50 million from allocation – April 17th

Essential trips only on MCTS buses. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

9. State Wins Grant for Twin Cities Train

Federal grant will add second daily roundtrip on Amtrak Empire Builder from Chicago to St. Paul. – May 6th

Passengers on the Amtrak Empire Builder in January 2019. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

8. Viking Cruises Adds Milwaukee as Port

But not all news from the port is good, it’s recovering from nearly $1 million in storm damage. – January 16th

Viking Octanis rendering. Image from Viking Cruises.

7. Downtown Losing Another One-Way Street

State Street will be bi-directional through Downtown, making it easier to navigate neighborhood. – May 25th

Two-Way to One-Way Divide at N. Market St. for E. State St. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

6. Trump Announces Funding for Milwaukee Bus Rapid Transit Line

President tweets long-awaited $40.9 million grant is being awarded. – May 28th

Rendering of Milwaukee County Bus Rapid Transit.

5. Bus System Overhaul Beginning in March

First phase of system-wide redesign will affect 9 routes. – December 3rd

How high-frequency routes are added under MCTS NEXT.

4. Canadian National Investing $100 Million In Wisconsin

New automobile shipping facility planned near Minnesota border. Railroad has invested $970 million in five years. – July 24th

A pair of Canadian National locomotives. Image by Dan from PQ, Canada / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

3. Bus System Redesign Approved

More frequent service and shorter travel times. MCTS will implement changes in 2021. – September 30th

How high-frequency routes are added under MCTS NEXT.

2. Road Diets Planned for Six City Streets

Lanes will be removed, improving safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. – July 7th

E. Oklahoma Ave. at S. Pine St. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

1. City Testing New Bike Lane Dividers

Say hello to the “wave delineator,” installed on Hawley Rd. to enhance visibility of protected bike lanes. – May 4th

Wave delineators on the N. Hawley Rd. protected bike lane. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.