East Jefferson gets raised bus platforms

State of play: DDOT began installing the first of 21 platforms last week.

• Eastbound stops between Chene Street and Alter Road are getting platforms first.

The intrigue: The addition of the platforms means that buses will stop in the right travel lane on Jefferson to pick up riders, instead of pulling across the bike and parking lanes at stops.

The big picture: The $3.8 million project is part of a long-term transit improvement plan known as DDOT Reimagined.

• The plan — released last year and expected to take several years to implement — laid out how corridors like East Jefferson would be improved with enhancements similar to bus rapid transit.
• Level boarding is a critical element of BRT systems, per the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy.

What's next: Work should be done by the end of the month.

• New shelters will be added to stops with platforms later this year, DDOT says.