Fordem Avenue, First Street Relief Sewer

September 30, 2025 Update

Since there won’t be a formal Public Information Meeting, City Engineering encourages the public to attend the Board of Public Works (BPW) meeting for more information about the project. There are no assessments to property owners for this work. At the meeting, you can learn about the project limits, utility installation, construction timeline and how the project will impact residents & businesses on or around the project limits. Registration in advance is required. If you would like to have the option to SPEAK at the BPW meeting, you must register AFTER the meeting agenda is posted on the registration website on the afternoon of October 3, 2025. Follow this link to register or, after the agenda is posted, register to speak:

https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/committees/board-of-public-works/2025-10-08

The project is currently waiting for railroad permit approval for utility work and geotechnical investigations.

View past project updates »

Project Details

  • Location

    • 1890 E Johnson St.
      Madison, WI 53704
  • Project Type

  • Status

    In Design
  • Impact

    Minor
  • Alder District

    • District 12
  • Contract Number

Project Information

Project Overview

The Fordem Ave. – First Street Relief Sewer project is a standalone sanitary replacement project.  This project replaces a 12” cast iron sewer installed in 1946 under the railroad tracks at 1890 & 1894 E Johnson St. This property is owned by the SOO Line Railroad CO and the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Rail respectively. The current main has a segment that is back pitched and limited available capacity. The project at 1601-1917 Sherman Ave. has increased the demand on our sanitary system and our project end date is to coordinate with the occupancy of that private development project. 

Project Limits

Fordem Ave. to E Johnson Ave. through the railroad properties

Project Schedule

Spring/Summer 2026

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, times and locations are indicated below:

Public Information Meetings

There is no public information meeting scheduled for this project at this time.

City Process, Meetings

Common Council Information will be posted when available.

Board of Public Works 10/8/2025

Business Resources

City of Madison Business Resource Guide for Construction

Project Updates

September 30, 2025 Update

Since there won’t be a formal Public Information Meeting, City Engineering encourages the public to attend the Board of Public Works (BPW) meeting for more information about the project. There are no assessments to property owners for this work. At the meeting, you can learn about the project limits, utility installation, construction timeline and how the project will impact residents & businesses on or around the project limits. Registration in advance is required. If you would like to have the option to SPEAK at the BPW meeting, you must register AFTER the meeting agenda is posted on the registration website on the afternoon of October 3, 2025. Follow this link to register or, after the agenda is posted, register to speak:

https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/committees/board-of-public-works/2025-10-08

The project is currently waiting for railroad permit approval for utility work and geotechnical investigations.

September 26, 2025 Update

The project is currently waiting for railroad permit approval for utility work and geotechnical investigations. The project will go before the Board of Public Works on 10/8/2025 for approval of plans specs and proposal estimates.

Was this page helpful to you?