Freakfest 2019 road closures and traffic detours

This article is an adapted version of the City of Madison’s Freakfest news release.

Freakfest is Saturday, Oct. 26 and several downtown and near-campus roads will be closed. These road closures may impact those traveling to campus for events such as the Hamel Music Center opening weekend and Saturday’s Badger Women’s Hockey and Badger Men’s Hockey games.

Friday night impacts

Streets will be open on Friday night. No buses will serve Capitol Square starting at 6 p.m. on Friday through end of service on Sunday, Oct. 27. Capitol loop Metro detour information

Full details on Metro detours can be found on the Metro Transit detour page.

Saturday impacts

Road closures

Streets crossing State Street will begin closing at 5 p.m. Saturday. Lake Street, Johnson Street, and Dayton Street will all close at 5 p.m. Gorham Street will stay open until 6 p.m. Streets will be closed until approximately 3 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27.

West Gilman Street will be closed between North Henry Street and State Street and West Mifflin Street will be closed Wisconsin Avenue starting at 2 p.m. for the construction of the two stages.

North Bassett Street, which has been closed for reconstruction, will be reopened by Saturday.

Event gates will be open from 7 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. During this time, an event ticket will be needed to enter or cross State Street.

Metro Transit detours

Several bus routes will detour all day Saturday due to these closures, including campus bus routes 80, 81 and 82.

  • Route 80 buses detour from Langdon St. via University Ave., to Park St., to Observatory Dr. Route continues to follow Saturday schedule.
  • Regular Saturday Route 81 and 82 service will be replaced by a “Special Events” bus that combines the usual Route 81 and 82 schedules and routes.

More details on the campus bus detours are available on the Metro Transit Freakfest detours page.

Other information

The City will removal all bikes from the entire length of State Street on Saturday.

Reminder – SAFEwalk is available for any student, employee, or campus visitor until 1 a.m. every night! Call or text (608) 262-5000 to request a walk. Walks can also be scheduled in advance by contacting the same number.

Related links

Freakfest Traffic Map PDF 

Metro Transit detours

Real-time parking availability in city garages

Real-time parking availability in UW-Madison parking garages

Freakfest website

Read the full article at: https://www.cityofmadison.com/news/street-closures-freakfest-2