News: Atwood Avenue construction update

7/25/2023 Update:

This week, the project team will pave lanes between Walter Street and Sugar Avenue and restore the terrace with topsoil and grass. Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) continues to work on their gas main along Atwood Avenue between Dennett Avenue and Cottage Grove Road.

Starting Monday, July 31, after 7 a.m., Atwood Avenue will be completely closed between Fair Oaks Avenue and Oakridge Avenue/Sugar Avenue. The full closure is expected to last approximately one month while crews reconstruct the street, which will include the installation of water main, sanitary and storm sewers. Crews are expected to work between 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. No access will be permitted to Atwood Avenue from Fair Oaks Avenue or Oakridge Avenue/Sugar Avenue. Residents can use Ludington Avenue, Welch Avenue, Center Avenue or Garrison Avenue to access their properties. During this closure, driveways may not be accessible at certain times when work is being performed. Affected residents can park on the adjacent streets during these times and will be notified ahead of driveway impacts.

The following traffic patterns and pedestrian access points are currently in place on Atwood Avenue until the full closure:

• Traffic is restricted to a single inbound lane (toward downtown) from Cottage Grove Road to Oakridge Avenue/Sugar Avenue. Vehicles should use the lane on the lake side of the street and weave to the other side as they approach Oakridge Avenue/Sugar Avenue.
• Vehicles, bikes and pedestrians should plan to use Walter Street as the main local access point to and from Atwood Avenue. Dennett Drive, Margaret Street and Olbrich Avenue will not be accessible from Atwood Avenue while the contractor builds new infrastructure at those intersections.
• Pedestrians traveling outbound (away from downtown) toward Olbrich Park from Fair Oaks Avenue should use the sidewalk on the lake side of Atwood Avenue.
• The outbound lane of Atwood Avenue between Fair Oaks Avenue and Oakridge Avenue/Sugar Avenue may be used for local traffic only.

The following traffic patterns and pedestrian access points will be in place on Atwood Avenue after the full closure:

• Traffic is restricted to a single inbound lane (toward downtown) from Cottage Grove Road to Walter Street. Vehicles should use the lane on the lake side of the street. Traffic traveling toward downtown can avoid the closure area by taking Walter Street to Milwaukee Street to Fair Oaks Avenue back to Atwood Avenue.
• Traffic traveling away from downtown should continue to use the existing detour, which directs traffic to Fair Oaks Avenue to Milwaukee Street to Cottage Grove Road. 
• Pedestrians traveling outbound (away from downtown) toward Olbrich Park or Olbrich Gardens from Fair Oaks Avenue should use alternative streets like Maple, Ludington, Center, Welch, Oakridge, Buena Vista, and Garrison.
• Traffic traveling to Olbrich Botanical Gardens or the Olbrich Park Boat Launch may only access those destinations from the south via Cottage Grove Road and Atwood or Milwaukee Street and Walter Street. Two-way traffic will be maintained from those locations to Walter Street. All traffic traveling away from those locations must turn left from Atwood Avenue to Walter Street. The outbound lane from Walter Street to Cottage Grove Road is not open.
• Vehicles, bikes and pedestrians should plan to use Walter Street as the main local access point to and from Atwood Avenue. Dennett Drive, Margaret Street and Olbrich Avenue will not be accessible from Atwood Avenue while the contractor builds new infrastructure at those intersections.

Metro Transit will maintain temporary bus stops in the area. View more information on Metro Transit's website.

The Lake Loop bike detour also remains in place. View the Detour Lake Loop Map

Private utilities (MGE, AT&T, Charter, etc.) continue to perform work during the street construction project requiring sidewalk and lane closures to move their facilities out of the way of the new street layout. WisDOT is the project lead for construction. Please email your comments and questions to ENComments@cityofmadison.com and we will work with the WisDOT construction engineer to provide answers.

Atwood Ave reconstruction project