Atwood Avenue

Last Updated: 03/22/2023

Latest Update 

3/22/2023 Update:
Later this week, Dennett Drive will be closed at the Atwood intersection as the project crew works in the area. This closure will only impact the intersection itself and will not obstruct access to individual driveways.

The closure is expected to take place Thursday and continue for about a week, pending any weather-related delays. Please remember to use the posted detour routes and use caution in the project area.

View a map of the Dennet Drive-Atwood Avenue work zone.

Expect tree removals early next week, as well as the installation of temporary signals for Walter Street and temporary poles/lighting from Walter Street to the east. Please watch for ongoing lane shifts during the tree removal and as utility work continues to take place between Fair Oaks Avenue and Oakridge Avenue.

The project is currently in stage 2, which includes the following traffic changes:

  • Traffic will be restricted to one northbound lane on Atwood Avenue between Cottage Grove Road and Oakridge Avenue/Sugar Avenue.
  • The southbound lanes of Atwood Avenue between Fair Oaks Avenue and Oakridge Avenue/Sugar Avenue may be used for local traffic only.
  • As a detour for vehicles wanting to travel southbound Atwood Avenue, take Fair Oaks Avenue to Milwaukee Street to Stoughton Road to Cottage Grove Rd.
  • Vehicles approaching Atwood Avenue from Walter Street, Dennett Drive, Margaret Street and Olbrich Avenue will only be permitted to make a right turn.
  • Vehicles traveling northbound on Atwood Avenue will have access to all side streets and driveways.

View maps of the traffic switch. PDF

The detour for the Lake Loop is in effect: View the Detour Lake Loop Map PDF .

The contractor will complete tree removals as specified in the construction plans within the right-of-way in March. There are 22 (3126 Atwood Ave (1-Honeylocust), 3202 Atwood Ave (1-Green Ash), 3210 Atwood Avenue (1-Green Ash), 3301 Atwood Ave (13-Trees), 502 Walter St (1-Elm, 2-Linden), 3502 Dennett Dr (1-Elm, 1-Pear Callery), 108 Cottage Grove Road (1-Ginkgo)) planned tree removals with this project because of conflicts with the new street infrastructure or poor health.

Private utilities (Madison Gas (MGE) & Electric, AT&T, Charter, etc.) will perform work during the City street construction project requiring sidewalk and lane closures to move their facilities out of the way of the new street layout. MGE is currently working from Fair Oaks Road to Oakridge Avenue to install new gas and electric facilities and is utilizing lane closures along the street.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.

Olbrich Park & Olbrich Botanical Gardens

Access to Olbrich Park and Olbrich Botanical Gardens remain open throughout the project. Route changes may be anticipated.

Project Description

The proposed project includes pavement reconstruction, curb and gutter, existing sidewalk spot replacements and repairs, new multi-use path/sidewalk, improved pedestrian crossings, storm sewer replacement, new street lighting, new traffic signals, replacement of sanitary sewer and water main, new pavement marking and new signs.

A 7-foot wide sidewalk will be constructed along the south side of Atwood Avenue between Fair Oaks Avenue and Oakridge Avenue. The sidewalk along the north side of Atwood Avenue will be spot replaced as needed. An 8-foot wide sidewalk will be constructed along the north side of Atwood Avenue between Sugar Avenue and Walter Street. A 10-foot wide path will be constructed along the west side of Walter Street from Atwood Avenue to the Capital City Trail. A 15-foot wide path with adjacent sidewalk will be constructed along the south side of Atwood Avenue from Oakridge Avenue to Dennett Drive. The path will include a new pedestrian/bike bridge crossing over the Starkweather Creek parallel to the roadway bridge. A 10-foot wide path from Welch Avenue to the 15-foot wide path/sidewalk along Atwood Avenue will also be constructed. The 5-foot wide sidewalk will be removed and replaced along the south side of Atwood Avenue from Dennett Drive to Cottage Grove Road. An outbound 5-foot wide on-street bike lane will be constructed along Atwood Avenue from Dennett Drive to Cottage Grove Road. A 10-foot wide path will be constructed along the north side of Atwood Avenue from Walter Street to Cottage Grove Road.

Lakeland Avenue will be removed and replaced with a parking lot and a 10-foot path from Welch Avenue will be separated from the parking lot.

 

Project Limits

Atwood Avenue - South Fair Oaks Avenue to Cottage Grove Road

Project Schedule

Design: 2016-2019, (2020-2021 Design On-Hold), 2022
Construction: 2023

Current Plans

Atwood Avenue PIM Exhibit_Section 1.pdf
Atwood Avenue PIM Exhibit_Section 2.pdf

Public Involvement

There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates and times are indicated below:

Feb. 27, 2023

WisDOT, City of Madison, City of Monona, and the Contractor held a public informational meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023 at Olbrich Gardens in the Evjue Commons located at 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison. The open house format meeting discussed the upcoming improvements, construction schedule, and expected street closures/detours in 2023.

Atwood Avenue PIM Exhibit_Section 1.pdf
Atwood Avenue PIM Exhibit_Section 2.pdf
Atwood Handout Document

March 22, 2022

The City held a public involvement meeting 6-8 p.m., via zoom.  The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss various alternatives for the placement of a new multi-use path in the Lakeland Ave/Olbrich Park area. The meeting recording and presentation are available below. Three alternatives were developed by the City and one by neighborhood residents:

Aug-Oct 2021 Proposed Path Geometry Revision

The proposed multi-use path geometry was considered for a revision in the Olbrich Park Area. The revision includes routing the multi-use path through the western area of Olbrich Park. Two of the options (1 & 3) allow for the sledding hill to be uninterrupted with pavement during the winter season. This was discussed for recommendation at the Aug 25, 2021 City Transportation Commission, where the commission recommended moving forward with Option 3.   This was also discussed at the Oct 13, 2021 Board of Park Commissioners, where the commission recommended also moving forward with Option 3. 

April 9, 2018 Public Information Meeting

The City held a public involvement meeting 6:30-8 p.m., April 9, 2018, at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in the Atrium, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI. 

June 12, 2018 Public Mailer 

This postcard was sent June 12, 2018 to residents and businesses along the corridor. View Mailer
Since the most recent public meeting on April 9, 2018, the following design changes have been proposed based on the feedback that was received.

  1. Add bike lanes on the both sides of the roadway from Dennett Drive to Cottage Grove Road. This change would include removing the multi-use path from Dennett Drive to Cottage Grove Road. This change removes the need for bicyclists traveling northbound on Monona drive to cross the street at Cottage Grove Road. This change also moves the bicyclists onto lanes in the roadway along the portion of the corridor with the most driveways. This will increase sight distance and visibility of bicyclists from drivers exiting the driveways.
  2. The pedestrian sidewalk is being moved to the outside of the multi-use path on south side of Atwood Avenue in the area adjacent to Olbrich Park. This change will result in less conflicts between bicyclists and pedestrians as bicyclists move onto the on-street bike lanes. Exhibits showing the changes can be found here.

Oct. 4, 2017 Public Information Meeting

The City held a public information meeting 6:30-8 p.m., Oct. 4, 2017, at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in the Atrium, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI. The City presented the preliminary design, answered questions and gathered input.  

Geometry Approval Meetings

City committees reviewed the project geometry at the following public meetings: Instructions for attending can be found on the City's City Hall Meeting webpage: https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/committees/meeting-schedule

  • June 26, 2018 – Pedestrian, Bicycle & Motor Vehicle Commission – Street Geometry – Approved
  • July 11, 2018 – Board of Public Works – Street Geometry – Approved
  • July 24, 2018 – Common Council – Street Geometry – Approved
  • Aug 25, 2021 – Transportation Commission – Path Revision Option 3 – Approved
  • Oct 13, 2021 – Board of Park Commissioners – Path Revision Option 3 – Approved
  • Mar 23, 2022 – Transportation Commission – Path Revision Option 1 – Approved, Secondary Approval Option 3
  • April 13, 2022 – Board of Park Commissioners – Path Revision Option 3 – Approved
  • July 6, 2022 – Board of Public Works – Construction Plans, Specifications, & Assessments – Approved
  • July 19, 2022 – Common Council – Construction Plans, Specifications, & Assessments – Approved

Mailings

Board of Public Works Public Hearing Notice
Common Council Public Hearing Notice
Common Council Approval Notice

Project Details

Project Contact