Several new construction projects will begin immediately after UW–Madison’s spring 2025 commencement, joining multiple projects already in progress on and near the UW campus. The projects will cause roadway, sidewalk, and bicycle facility closures, as well as Madison Metro bus detours.
This article highlights areas of campus most heavily affected by construction projects and suggests alternate routes around work zones.
Information about Madison Metro Transit detours are available on their bus detour page.
For the complete list of current and upcoming construction-related campus travel impacts, please refer to the summer 2025 construction forecast map (PDF) and the summer 2025 forecast on Transportation Services’ construction webpage.
For information about City of Madison construction projects, visit their construction project page.
Project dates and details are subject to change due to weather and other factors.
Highland Avenue sewer project to affect west campus, University Hospital access all summer
Go to the full story on traffic impacts due to the Highland Avenue sewer project >>>
The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (“District”) will begin the first stage of its Highland Avenue sewer project on May 12. Phased closures of the westbound Campus Drive off- and on-ramps, and southbound lanes of Highland Avenue, will significantly affect travel to and from University Hospitals, American Family Children’s Hospital, and areas of the UW campus west of Babcock Drive. Work is expected to last through early September.
In stage 1 the westbound off-ramp from Campus Drive to Highland Avenue will close. Motorists heading toward west campus / University Hospitals are encouraged to plan an alternate route with extra travel time. Recommended alternate routes will take motorists to Highland Avenue by way of Observatory Drive (through campus) or Old University Avenue.
In stage 2, both Campus Drive westbound off- and on-ramps will close and southbound Highland Avenue will close from the UW Hospital parking ramp to Campus Drive. In stage 3, Highland Avenue and the Campus Drive off-ramp will reopen, and the on-ramp will remain closed until the project is completed.
Ongoing impacts for pedestrian, bicycle, and motor vehicle travel around Engineering Drive
Work related to the construction of the new engineering building began last September and will continue this summer, affecting building access and travel for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians in the Engineering campus area.
Several pedestrian routes around the Engineering Research Building and Materials Science and Engineering Building are detoured, or are open for emergency exit only. Pedestrians should follow designated sidewalks and crossings, refrain from walking in roadways or crossing in the middle of streets, and obey flagger signals.
North Randall Avenue between Campus Drive and West Dayton Street will close in both directions. Motorists must plan a detour route in order to access Engineering Drive via right turn from southbound Randall Avenue, or left turn from University Avenue. Metro Transit bus routes will detour.
Engineering Drive will remain partially closed and reconfigured due to work areas jutting out into the roadway. Access to the Engineering Drive parking ramp will continue to be affected.
Find weekly updates on the College of Engineering’s project page.
New building construction to cause east campus area lane closures, Metro Transit detours
Work on Irving and Dorothy Levy Hall and the expansion of Grainger Hall dining facilities will cause lane closures at the N. Park Street and W. Johnson Street intersection. Closures are expected to last all summer.
Roadways will remain open with reduced lanes, but motorists should expect delays during peak commuting times. Please drive with caution and be mindful of cyclists merging with traffic lanes. The Grainger Hall parking garage will only be accessible from University Avenue.
Cyclists should use caution when merging with traffic lanes, or avoid N. Park and W. Johnson by detouring along Mills Street, Brooks Street, or East Campus Mall.
Brooks Street will be fully closed to motor vehicle traffic due to the Grainger Hall dining facilities expansion project. Motorists and cyclists should detour along Mills Street. Cyclists may also choose to disembark and walk bicycles on the Brooks Street sidewalk, which will remain open.
Bicycle parking around Grainger Hall will be reduced for the dining expansion project.
But that’s not all
Please refer to the summer construction forecast map (PDF) for all current and planned project areas that could affect campus-area travel. For accessible text descriptions of summer closures and detours this summer, go to the summer 2025 forecast at transportation.wisc.edu/construction/#summerforecast.