Transportation Services
Division of Facilities Planning & Management

New and ongoing construction to affect campus travel this summer

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Update, May 12

    • The Charter Street closure has been delayed for one week and will now begin on May 18.
    • The Babcock Drive closure has been delayed: the new start date is to be determined.

April 22

Several new construction projects will begin immediately after UW–Madison’s spring 2026 commencement, joining multiple projects already in progress on and near campus. The projects will cause roadway, sidewalk, and bicycle facility closures.

This article highlights the major zones to be aware of when traveling to campus this summer. For all summer projects, refer to the forecast map (PDF) or the text-based project list.

Closure dates and details are subject to change due to weather and other factors.

Highlighted construction zones

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University Avenue: Frances Street to Park Street

Shifted lanes and bicycle / pedestrian path closures

Map showing current and planned closures on and around University Avenue on the UW-Madison campus. Accessible text descriptions at https://transportation.wisc.edu/construction/
Closures along the east end of University Avenue will cause lane shifts for all travel modes.

Traffic impacts

There will be a series of lane shifts on University Avenue just after the bend where Gorham Street turns into University Avenue:

  • The right lane is closed from Frances Street to Lake Street: open lanes shift left.
  • Starting May 11, the left lane will be closed from Lake Street to Park Street: open lanes will shift right.

Drivers traveling on Gorham Street toward campus should expect traffic backups from State Street to N. Park Street, especially during peak travel times.

Bicycle and pedestrian impacts

Also starting May 11, the southern sidewalk and eastbound bike lane on University Avenue will close from Lake Street to Park Street, and a protected, mixed-use path will be available for people on bicycles and pedestrians.

The traffic lanes, sidewalk and bike lanes are expected to reopen by the end of the summer.

What’s causing the closures?

  • Accessibility improvements at Vilas Hall (Project Q)
  • Redevelopment of the State & Lake parking garage (City of Madison project) (Project R)
  • Reconstruction of Lake Street and Hawthorne Court (City of Madison project) (Project S)

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Grainger Hall area: N. Park, W. Johnson, and Brooks Streets

Overlapping work zones affecting roadways, bicycle lanes and sidewalks

Traffic impacts

The far-right traffic lane of N. Park Street (from University to Johnson) is closed. Starting May 11, the far-left traffic lane of W. Johnson Street (from Brooks to Park) will be closed during off-peak travel times. Brooks Street is closed to through-traffic.

Map showing current and planned travel route closures around Grainger Hall. Accessible text descriptions at https://transportation.wisc.edu/construction/
Traffic lane, bike lane and pedestrian route closures will affect travel around Grainger Hall.
  • The remaining traffic lanes on N. Park Street and W. Johnson Street will be open. Delays may occur, especially during peak travel times.
  • The entrance to Lot 7 (Grainger Hall Garage) is accessible via a left turn onto Brooks Street from University Avenue.

Pedestrian and bicycle impacts

Sidewalks on N. Park Street and W. Johnson Street will be closed.

  • Pedestrians should follow designated detours and remain on protected paths around the work zones.

The bicycle lane on southbound N. Park Street is closed from University Avenue to W. Johnson Street.

  • People on bikes should use caution and merge into traffic where bike lanes end on N. Park Street, or avoid the area by detouring along Mills Street or East Campus Mall.
  • People on bicycles may dismount and walk their bikes down Brooks Street, which is open to pedestrians.

What’s causing the closures?

  • Renovations at Grainger Hall (Project P)
  • Construction of Irving and Dorothy Levy Hall (Project N)
  • Private development at 306 Brooks Street (Project L)

These areas will reopen gradually, with some work continuing through 2027.

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Babcock Drive off University Avenue

Starting May 11 The University Avenue turnoff to Babcock Drive will be closed to motor vehicles and bicycles at a date yet to be determined. Crosswalks along University Avenue near the work zone will also be closed and a pedestrian detour will be in place. The sidewalk on the north side of Babcock Drive will remain open. To stay safe, please follow signs and remain on designated routes.

Map showing a planned closure of Babcock Drive on the UW-Madison campus. Accessible text descriptions at https://transportation.wisc.edu/construction/
Roadway and sidewalk closures on and around Babcock Drive (project E) will affect motor vehicles and pedestrian access.

To access areas of campus north of University Avenue by car:

    • The week of May 11, vehicles and bicycles should use Henry Mall or Walnut Street.
    • The week of May 18 through July, vehicles and bicycles can also use Charter Street.
    • Vehicles and bicycles can use Charter Street or Walnut Street from the week of May 25 onward.

What’s causing the closures?

The City of Madison and the Federal Railroad Administration are expanding the roadway for Madison Metro Transit’s BRT Route A. Pedestrian and bicycle crossings are also being updated. (Project E)

The closures are expected to last through July.

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Charter Street off University Avenue

Charter Street will be fully closed between University Avenue and Linden Drive for approximately one week, starting May 11 18.

Map showing a planned closure of Charter Street on the UW-Madison campus. Accessible text description available at transportation.wisc.edu/construction
A section of Charter Street will close for approximately one week starting May 11.

To access areas of campus north of University Avenue:

  • Motorists and people on bicycles can use North Park Street, Babcock Drive, or Walnut Street.
  • Sidewalks will remain open to pedestrians.

What’s causing the closure?

Charter Street is being repaved. (Project K)

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Engineering Drive and Philip A. Levy Engineering Center construction

Ongoing construction of the new engineering building in the south-central campus area will affect all travel modes. The area will continue to be affected through spring 2028.

Map showing current sidewalk and service drive closures around Engineering Drive on the UW-Madison campus. Accessible text descriptions at https://transportation.wisc.edu/construction/
Construction of the new Engineering Building will continue to affect all modes of travel in the vicinity of Engineering Drive.
  • The service drive to Engineering Drive from University Avenue will be closed to motor vehicles. To reach Engineering Drive, continue down University Avenue, turn right on Randall Avenue, and then right on Engineering Drive.
  • Pedestrians should use designated detours. Do not walk in roadways or cross in the middle of the road.
  • Drivers and people on bicycles should be aware of work vehicles and yield to pedestrians.
  • All travelers should watch for construction vehicles and obey flagger signals.

What’s causing the closures?

  • Construction of the Philip A. Levy Engineering Center (Project J)
  • Engineering Drive utilities upgrades (Project J)

Check the College of Engineering facilities webpage for detailed project updates.

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Ways to stay informed

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