Have you heard the news? GRTC’s Pulse BRT is a success, and riders want more efficient, convenient, and reliable connections to get you where you need to go! To accommodate people on the move, we’re excited to announce the next phase of the GRTC Pulse North-South Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) – GRTC’s commitment to help keep our region moving. The North-South BRT will connect Northside and Southside to the existing GRTC Pulse BRT and beyond, making it easier and safer for everyone to get around with bus service that is more reliable, convenient, and faster for all of us.
GRTC Pulse North-South BRT will connect more of the region, including Chamberlayne Avenue, Leigh Street, 8th Street, 9th Street, Commerce Road, Hull Street, Belt Boulevard, and Midlothian Turnpike. Adding a North-South BRT to the existing GRTC Pulse system will support regional growth and help provide equitable access to jobs, education, and community services.
Project Map
Project Details
In Fall 2023, GRTC completed the GRTC Pulse North-South Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Study to determine a locally preferred alternative for a North-South rapid bus route. The study paired public input with analysis of demographics, employment, equity, multimodal connectivity, and existing transit service. GRTC selected a preferred corridor alignment for further design and environmental review.
This project picks up where the 2023 study left off. GRTC Pulse North-South BRT will be constructed in phases. This project will advance Phase I of the locally preferred alternative through preliminary design and the federally required environmental evaluation process. It will also advance preliminary planning of the segments identified as future phases of the alignment. Phase I of the project will comprise at least 50% dedicated bus lanes and numerous BRT stations (locations to be determined) along the corridor. When this project concludes, Phase I will be eligible to compete for federal funding for detailed design and construction.
Phase I Project Map
What’s Happening?
Spring 2025 community engagement for the GRTC Pulse North-South BRT Project is underway. During the Fall 2024 engagement process, we asked for your thoughts on potential designs for the project corridor. Since that time, we’ve made updates to the conceptual design, based on public feedback or additional analysis and considerations. You can view detailed descriptions of the changes by reviewing this document: GRTC Pulse North-South BRT Conceptual Design Updates
During Spring 2025 engagement, we presented updates to the conceptual design at a pop-up, public meeting, and virtual meeting, based on additional technical analysis and feedback from the public collected in Fall 2024. The online survey is open thru April 30th: Click here to take the survey!
Updated Conceptual Design
To gain a detailed understanding of the updated conceptual design, feel free to review the PDFs linked below. These design concepts will be displayed as meeting boards at the in-person public meeting on March 25, 2025, at Main Street Station.
- Midlothian Turnpike
- Belt Boulevard
- Hull Street
- Commerce Road
- 8th and 9th Streets
- Leigh Street
- Chamberlayne Parkway
- Chamberlayne Avenue
- North Chamberlayne Avenue
- Azalea Avenue – Brook Road
Project Information
For more information about the project, review the PDFs of the additional informational boards that will be displayed at the in-person public meeting on March 25, 2025, at Main Street Station.
- Parking Inventory and Occupancy
- Project Information
- Project Map
- Traffic Exhibit
- Tree Exhibit
- Typical Sections
- Typical Station Concept
Why Participate?
As the Richmond region grows, our transit system must keep up. GRTC Pulse North-South BRT Project will help people get to jobs, schools, grocery stores, doctors’ offices, and other destinations. By participating in the process, you’re helping to create a transit system that works for you and for your community by helping our region to plan for its future.