Construction projects to cause campus-area travel delays this summer

Several new construction projects will begin immediately after commencement, joining multiple projects-in-progress on and near the UW–Madison campus. The projects will cause roadway, sidewalk, and bicycle facility closures, as well as Madison Metro detours.

This article highlights the areas of campus where travel is most likely to be significantly affected by construction projects, as well as provides suggested alternate routes to avoid construction zones. For the complete list of construction-related campus travel impacts, please refer to the summer 2024 construction forecast map.

Estimated project dates and travel configurations are subject to change due to weather and other factors.

For current travel impacts due to construction, visit our construction page and follow us on Twitter/X.

Lane reductions on University Avenue and North Lake Street to squeeze east campus traffic

Map of area near N. Lake Street and University Avenue on the UW-Madison campus that will be affected by construction projects during summer 2024. Refer to https://transportation.wisc.edu/2024/04/29/summer-2024-construction-forecast for full descriptions of affected areas.

The City of Madison is building a new parking ramp on N. Lake Street to replace the old ramp located near the University Bookstore. A City of Madison water utility project will also affect N. Lake Street just south of University Avenue (near Fresh Market), and the Fluno Center is undergoing a repair project.

Traffic impacts

Currently, the block of N. Lake Street just north of University Avenue is southbound-only due to a northbound lane closure.

In late June, the northbound lane closure on N. Lake Street closure will extend all the way to Johnson Street. Motorists wanting to travel southbound through east campus may detour along N. Park Street.

Also in June, two traffic lanes on University Avenue will close from Frances Street to N. Lake Street. The projects affecting this area of University Avenue will go through multiple phases, and motorists may encounter different traffic configurations throughout the summer.

University Avenue and N. Lake Street just south of University Avenue is expected to reopen in July, while the portion of N. Lake Street just north of University Avenue will reopen later in August.

Transit impacts

Campus bus route 80 will detour from N. Lake Street for the duration of the closure. Go to the Madison Metro website for details.

Bicycle impacts

Starting May 15, the water utility project work zone will block the contraflow bicycle lane at the University Avenue / N. Lake Street intersection. To continue east along University Avenue, cyclists must go around the work zone by crossing to the north side of University Avenue, crossing Lake Street, and doubling back across University to return to the contraflow lane (see map detail).

To avoid biking on N. Lake Street, cyclists may consider detouring along Frances St.

Pedestrian impacts

The southern crosswalk of the N. Lake Street and University Avenue intersection will close. The southern sidewalk of University Avenue in front of the Fluno Center will close between N. Lake Street and Frances Street. There will be a temporary protected walkway available in front of the Fluno Center. Otherwise, sidewalks and crosswalks along N. Lake Street and University Avenue will be maintained.

Observatory Drive hairpin turn closure to affect motorists and buses

Map of area near Observatory Drive, next to Helen C. White Hall, on the UW-Madison campus that will be affected by construction projects during summer 2024. Refer to https://transportation.wisc.edu/2024/04/29/summer-2024-construction-forecast for full descriptions of affected areas.
Observatory Drive will fully close May 13 through 31. Dates are approximate. Click to enlarge.

 

Map of area near Observatory Drive, next to Helen C. White Hall, on the UW-Madison campus that will be affected by construction projects during summer 2024. Refer to https://transportation.wisc.edu/2024/04/29/summer-2024-construction-forecast for full descriptions of affected areas.
Observatory Drive will be eastbound-only during peak travel times after May 31. Dates are approximate. Click to enlarge.

Vehicle impacts

A masonry project will cause the hairpin turn on Observatory Drive to fully close between parking lots 9 and 10, near Helen C. White Hall.

The hairpin turn will fully close from May 13 to 31. On June 1, the area will reopen to eastbound traffic only during peak travel periods, and will otherwise remain fully closed during off-peak travel times. Motorists should use University Avenue to travel westbound across campus, W. Johnson Street to travel eastbound, or W. Dayton Street to travel in either direction.

Parking lot 9 (near Science Hall) will remain open for accessible parking only. Permit holders will be relocated.

Parking lot 10 (near the Education Building) will remain open to permit holders.

Transit impacts

Madison Metro route 80 will detour starting May 13. Go to the Madison Metro website for details.

Please note that the accessible shuttle does not run during summer break. There is an interior accessible route from N. Charter Street to the northeast side of Van Vleck Hall that allows travel up Bascom Hill.

Bicycle impacts

Cyclists should use Lakeshore Path to avoid this project.

Pedestrian impacts

Sidewalks will be maintained for the duration of the project.

Irving and Dorothy Levy Hall construction to affect cyclists and pedestrians

Map of area near the construction site of Irving and Dorothy Levy Hall on the UW-Madison campus that will be affected by construction projects during summer 2024. Refer to https://transportation.wisc.edu/2024/04/29/summer-2024-construction-forecast for full descriptions of affected areas.
Click to enlarge

Vehicle traffic impacts

Ongoing construction of Levy Hall near the corner of N. Park Street and W. Johnson Street will continue through 2025. The project has caused the far-right lane of W. Johnson Street to close from Brooks Street to N. Park Street, while the remaining lanes are open to eastbound vehicle traffic.

Bicycle impacts

A section of the southbound bicycle lane on N. Park Street is closed from W. Johnson Street to Clymer Place. Cyclists should use caution while merging with southbound vehicle traffic on this section of Park Street. Alternatively, cyclists may stop and walk their bikes along the protected pedestrian walkway or consider an alternate route, such as Mills Street.

Pedestrian impacts

Sidewalks on the south side of W. Johnson Street and the west side of N. Park Street are closed. A protected temporary walkway is available around the work site.

Morgridge Hall and BRT construction likely to cause bottlenecks around Union South and University Ave

Map of areas surrounding Union South on the UW-Madison campus that will be affected by construction projects during summer 2024. Refer to https://transportation.wisc.edu/2024/04/29/summer-2024-construction-forecast for full descriptions of affected areas.
Click to enlarge

The construction of Morgridge Hall and BRT facilities will affect travel on W. Johnson Street between Randall Avenue and Orchard Street near Union South. BRT facility construction will also affect travel on University Avenue in front of the Medical Sciences Center, just west of Charter Street. These closures are expected to last between May 13 and August.

Vehicle traffic impacts

A section of W. Johnson Street between Randall Avenue and Charter Street will be reduced to one lane. Orchard Street will remain closed. The right turn lane from Randall Avenue to W. Johnson will be closed.

Motorists wanting to head eastbound from Randall Avenue should detour via Dayton Street. Motorists should also expect delays on Johnson Street due to the multiple-lane closure in front of Union South, especially during peak travel times.

The far-right traffic lane of University Avenue will be closed in front of the Medical Sciences Center for half a block beginning at Charter Street. This closure will join the existing closure of the far-left lane, meaning that University Avenue will be reduced to one lane in front of the Medical Sciences Center.

Motorists should expect delays on this section of University Avenue, especially during peak travel times.

Bicycle impacts

The westbound bicycle lane on University Avenue will close in front of the Medical Sciences Center. Cyclists traveling westbound should avoid University Avenue and consider detouring along W. Dayton Street or Linden Drive. The eastbound contraflow bicycle lane on University Avenue will remain closed, but protected bicycle facilities will remain open to bicycles traveling east.

Pedestrian impacts

There will be multiple sidewalk and crosswalk closures on Johnson Street and University Avenue.

Both crosswalks at the University Avenue / Orchard Street intersection will close. Pedestrians may cross University Avenue at Charter Street or Randall Avenue. Marked pedestrian detours will be available in front of Union South. A temporary protected walkway is available on the north side of Johnson Street and south side of University Avenue around the Morgridge Hall work site.

BRT construction to cause eastbound Campus Drive lane closure

Map of area near N. Lake Street and University Avenue on the UW-Madison campus that will be affected by construction projects during summer 2024. Refer to https://transportation.wisc.edu/2024/04/29/summer-2024-construction-forecast for full descriptions of affected areas.
Click to enlarge (PDF)

The far-right eastbound lane of Campus Drive will close starting at University Bay Drive and reopen where Campus Drive intersects (old) University Avenue, east of the Wisconsin Energy Institute.  Although the left lane of Campus Drive will remain open, motorists should expect the closures near Union South to cause backups as far west as Campus Drive, especially during peak travel times. This closure is expected to last through the end of August.

Questions about pedestrian or bicycle access?

For questions or concerns regarding pedestrian accessibility during these closures, please let us know by completing a bicycling/pedestrian feedback form.