Campus Construction Impacts

Find out how ongoing, current, and upcoming campus construction projects impact campus travel for motorists, buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Project details may change due to weather or other factors. This page will be updated as new information becomes available. Last update: March 22, 2023

Click the button below to download a full map of current campus construction impacts:

Lot & Street Impacts/Closures Map (PDF)

City of Madison project information can be found at cityofmadison.com.

West Campus


West campus work areas include:
(A) University Avenue construction
(B) Bakke Recreation Center construction & Veterinary Medicine addition.

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Pedestrian impacts

Affected area Recommended routes Effective dates (approximate)
Sidewalks and multi-use paths around University Ave. and University Bay Dr. See City of Madison website for maps and recommended routes Through 2023

Transit impacts

Affected route or stop Detour information Effective dates (approximate)
Park and ride Natatorium shuttle stop Stop closed. Board westbound stop at Observatory & Elm Permanent relocation

Bicycle impacts

Affected area Recommended routes Effective dates (approximate)
Campus Dr. bike path near University Ave. and Highland Ave. closing See City of Madison website for maps and recommended routes Closure starts April 13; expected to last through 2023

Vehicle traffic impacts

Affected area Recommended routes Effective dates (approximate)
Easterday Ln. from Observatory Dr. to Linden Dr. Access VetMed via Willow Creek Bridge Through spring 2023
Lot 57 Lot closed Through spring 2023
University Ave. traffic lanes will shift and be reduced west of Highland Ave. Visit the City of Madison website for current project and detour information Work starts April 3; expected to last through 2023
Linden Dr. from Easterday Ln. to Colwood Dr. Access VetMed via Willow Creek Bridge Permanent closure
Lot 62 Lot closed Permanent closure

Central Campus


Central campus work areas include:
(C) Babcock Hall addition
(D) Ag Bulletin & Horticulture utility projects 
(E) CDIS construction and Brodgen Psychology exterior renovation 
(F) Chemistry Addition project
(!) Observatory Drive two-week closure (April 2023)

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Map of pedestrian, bike, bus, and traffic impacts in the central campus area.
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Pedestrian impacts

Affected area Recommended routes Effective dates (approximate)
Mills St. from University Ave. to Johnson St. Sidewalks closed. Detour along Charter St. or Brooks St. Through March 2023
Agricultural Hall, King Hall, Soils Building, and Microbial Sciences Sidewalks impacted by construction. Follow detour signage around work areas. Through summer 2023
Johnson St. from Orchard St. to Charter St. Protected pedestrian walkway available around work site on northern side of street. Through December 2024
Orchard St. from University Ave. to Johnson St. Eastern sidewalk closed. Detour along accessible sidewalk on western side of Orchard St. Through December 2024
University Ave. from Orchard St. to Charter St. Southern sidewalk impacted. Temporary walkway available around work site. Through December 2024

Transit impacts

Affected route or stop Detour information Dates effective (approximate)
Route 4 and 13 mymetrobus.com Effective starting August 22, 2022.
Route 44 (northbound) mymetrobus.com Effective starting November 30, 2022

Vehicle traffic impacts

Affected area Recommended routes Effective dates (approximate)
Mills St. from Johnson St. to University Ave. Both lanes closed. Detour via Charter St. or Brooks St. Through April 2023
Lot 40 Southern section of lot closed. Access west side of Lot 40 via driveway between Stock Pavilion and Babcock Hall. East side access available via Babcock Dr. Through April 2023
Lot 26 Section of parking lot closed behind Soils Building Through summer 2023
Orchard St. from University Ave. to Johnson St. Full closure. Detour via Charter St. Through December 2024
Johnson St. from Orchard St. to Charter St. Northern (left) lane closed. All other lanes on Johnson St. remain open. Through December 2024
University Ave. from Park St. to Orchard St. Southern (left) lane of University Ave. closed from Park St. to Orchard St. All other lanes remain open. Expect congestion and delays during peak travel times. Through December 2024
Lot 22 Lot closed Permanent closure

East Campus


East campus work areas include:
(G) Bascom-Lathrop utility project
(H) Kohl Center addition
(!) Observatory Drive two-week closure (April 2023)
(!) Regent Street one-block closure (March 24-26)

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Map of bike, bus, pedestrian, and vehicle traffic impacts to the east campus area.
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Pedestrian impacts

Affected area Recommended routes Effective dates (approximate)
Stairway leading to Van Vleck Hall Stairway closed. Follow detour signage around work area. Through late 2023
East Campus Mall between Regent St. and tunnel Pedestrian and bicycle path narrowed to 10' shared path. Use caution when navigating the area. Through 2024

Bicycle impacts

Affected area Recommended routes Effective dates (approximate)
East Campus Mall between Regent St. and tunnel Shared pedestrian and bicycle path reduced. Use caution when navigating the area. Through 2024
University Ave. between Park St. and Orchard St. Temporary bike lane available around work site. Through December 2024

Transit impacts

Affected route or stop Detour information Dates effective (approximate)
Routes 4 and 13 mymetrobus.com Effective August 2022. See Madison Metro website for updates.
Stop #0043 in front of Kohl Center permanently closed mymetrobus.com Effective November 2022

Vehicle traffic impacts

Affected area Recommended routes Effective dates (approximate)
Block of Regent St. near Park St. A private development project will close one block of Regent St. near Park St. in both directions. Detour via Park St. and W. Washington Ave. March 24 - 26, 2023
Observatory Dr. between Charter St. and Lot 11 Both lanes closed for two weeks in April. Detour east via Charter St. and Johnson St. Detour west via University Ave. Lot 9, 10, 11 remain accessible from Park St. April 2023 (dates TBD)
Lot 78 and 88 Closed Through 2024
University Ave. from Park St. to Orchard St. Southern (left) lane of University Ave. closed from Park St. to Orchard St. All other lanes remain open. Expect congestion and delays during peak travel times. Through December 2024
Picture of an area blocked by construction barricades and other traffic management signs. Focus is on a bright orange sign stating "Detour" with an arrow pointing to the right.