Road closures and detours update – October 16

Read on for updates on some construction projects affecting campus traffic patterns. Reminder: project dates are subject to change due to weather or other factors.

West campus projects

*NEW* Linden Drive parking structure and utilities projects

Work has begun on the Linden Drive parking structure project and accompanying utilities projects. Part of Lot 62 was retired to serve as the site for the new parking garage.

Several area sidewalks are unavailable while work takes place:

  • The southern sidewalk of Observatory Drive is closed from approximately Easterday Lane to the new Meat Science building. Detour available via the northern sidewalk.
  • The eastbound Observatory & Natatorium bus stop (#2267) remains open, but can only be accessed via the north-south pedestrian path connecting the Natatorium to Veterinary Medicine.
  • The northern sidewalk of Linden Drive by the Linden Drive parking garage construction site is closed. Detour available via the southern Linden Drive sidewalk.

On Monday, Oct. 21, part of Easterday Lane intersection at Observatory Drive closes for approximately two weeks for utilities work. Traffic will be unable to turn southbound onto Easterday Lane or onto Observatory Drive from Easterday Lane. Eastbound traffic on Observatory Drive can use Elm Drive to reach the west Linden Drive area.

Vehicles can enter/exit area lots (Lot 4, 62, 123, 124, 125, 672) by using Linden Drive to continue to the respective lot entry/exit lanes. Lot 62 and 672 are only accessible via Easterday Lane, so permit holders must use Linden Drive to reach the open portion of Easterday Lane.

Also starting October 21: the bicycle-pedestrian path behind the Veterinary Medicine campus (exiting onto Farm Place) closes until March 2020. Detour available using the path to the west of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, which exits on to Easterday Lane.

Reminder: The Willow Creek pedestrian-bicycle bridge is closed until further notice due to structural integrity concerns.

Map detailing impacts from the Linden Drive parking garage construction project and accompanying utilities work. The south sidewalk of Observatory Drive is closed from Easterday Lane to approximately Willow Drive. The northern sidewalk of Linden Drive from approximately Farm Place to the entrance to Vet Med is closed. The bicycle/pedestrian behind the Vet Med campus is closed. The top of Easterday Lane is closed, so traffic has to reroute to use Linden Drive to access to the Vet Med area.
Click on the above image to enlarge or see the Linden Drive parking and utility project map.

Central campus projects

Bascom-Lathrop utility project

Lot 115 access is available using Charter Street and Lot 5 access is available using Park Street, but Lathrop Drive between these two areas is unavailable. Lincoln Drive (for UW authorized vehicles only) is unavailable from Lathrop Drive as well.

Pedestrian paths on Bascom Hill and between the Lathrop Hall, the Law Building, and South Hall are impacted. See the campus construction map (Inset 2) for a more detailed description of available paths.

For project updates, see the Bascom-Lathrop project page.

Limnology lift station project

Lot 8 and the driveway to the Limnology building remain closed for a lift station repair project. If weather conditions allow, the project is expected to finish by approximately October 25.

Currently, vehicles cannot to access the area. Bicyclists should walk their bikes along the open pedestrian path near Limnology. If headed eastbound, bikes can detour off the Lakeshore Path by the Porter Boathouse/Babcock Drive.

South campus projects

Chemistry building addition project

No major updates. One lane of northbound Charter Street between University Avenue and Johnson Street remains closed. Occasional full day closures of Mills Street between University Avenue and Johnson Street may occur as needed; area is currently open to southbound traffic only. Detour via Brooks, Charter, or Park Street.

Dayton Street utility project

Dayton Street east of Park Street is reopened to two-way traffic.

No other changes–Dayton Street remains closed to east and westbound traffic from Charter Street to Park Street. The Route 80 campus bus remains on detour. The northern Dayton Street sidewalk is closed, with a detour available on the southern sidewalk. Project currently on track for completion in November 2019. See the campus construction map (Inset 1) for a more detailed description of available paths.

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