Travelers should expect extra traffic and delays around University Hospitals and west UW-Madison campus when the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (“District”) Highland Avenue sewer project enters stage 2.
Currently, the westbound Campus Drive off-ramp to Highland Avenue is closed for stage 1 of the project. From June 30 to mid-July, both the westbound on- and off-ramps, as well as a section of southbound Highland Avenue will all be closed at the same time.
Parking at the UW Hospital Garage (lot 75) will also be affected.
These changes will make it more challenging to leave campus. Inbound and outbound detours will be required for those who normally use Campus Drive to get to and from the impacted area. Travelers should plan ahead and expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
Madison Metro Transit buses will detour. Check Metro’s website for detour information.
Re-opening will occur in stages:
- Mid-July: Westbound Campus Drive off-ramp to re-open
- Late July: Southbound Highland Avenue to re-open.
- Early September: Westbound Campus Drive on-ramp to re-open.
Dates and closures are subject to change due to weather and other factors. You can subscribe to District project updates here.
Coming to campus: recommended inbound routes to west campus / University Hospitals
West campus and University Hospitals can be reached from Highland Avenue via Old University Avenue, or from Observatory Drive.
Vehicles traveling eastbound toward campus along Campus Drive can take the Old University off-ramp and turn left on Highland Avenue. Alternatively, continue east on Old University Avenue, turn left on Walnut Street, and left again on Observatory Drive.
Vehicles traveling westbound toward campus should continue using the same detours that are in place for stage 1:
Take a right turn from University Avenue to Babcock Drive, and then a left turn on Observatory Drive.
Another option is to turn left onto Old University Avenue and right onto Highland Avenue. However, UW campus and UW Hospital employees are being encouraged to use the Observatory Drive route through campus to help alleviate traffic for patients and visitors using the Old University route toward the hospital.
Look for detour signs where westbound University Avenue splits into Babcock, Campus Drive, and Old University.
A route to the hospital for emergency vehicles is designated along University Bay Drive via Campus Drive.
Leaving campus: recommended outbound routes
Vehicles leaving campus may head north on Highland Avenue, circle around the hospital, continue along University Bay Drive, and turn either right (west) onto University Avenue, or left (east) onto Campus Drive.
Another outbound option is to travel eastbound on Observatory Drive, turn right on Walnut Street, and either left or right on Old University Avenue.
Exiting UW Hospital Ramp (lot 75)
Traffic control measures will be in place during stage 2 to reduce backups and delays for vehicles leaving the parking garage.
Those with pre-paid parking, including UW parking permits, validations, receipts from pay-on-foot machines, and mobile payments are being asked to exit the garage from the lower level exit located on the north side of the garage. This exit leads directly to the Observatory/Highland intersection.
Those paying for parking in cash are being asked to use the level 1 exit.
Those using the level 1 exit will be required to turn right on Highland Avenue, then make a u-turn at the intersection with the Veterans Hospital entrance to head north on Highland. The usual median crossover for northbound traffic will be closed as part of the traffic management plan. Traffic lanes and the signal at the Highland/Veterans Hospital intersection will be adjusted to help reduce delays.
Click here for more details and helpful tips on exiting the UW Hospital Ramp.
For more information
Please refer to the District project page for more information about the Highland Avenue sewer project.