John Nolen Drive

Latest Update

6/5/2023 Update:

The Roadway Geometry will be up for approval from the Transportation Commission (June 7, 2023) Board of Public Works (June 21, 2023) and Common Council (July 11, 2023). This will give the project team direction on a preferred alternative to work towards final plans and details for bidding in late 2024 and construction in 2025.

John Nolen Drive Geometry Plan

Information on how to attend the meetings virtually can be found here:https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/committees/meeting-schedule

The John Nolen Drive Reconstruction project will encompass a number of infrastructure design improvements along the causeway between East Olin Avenue and Broom Street. The project is broken into the following three segments:

East Lakeside Street to North Shore Drive
East Olin Avenue to East Lakeside Street
Broom Street Intersection

Phase One of the project, which includes the segment from East Lakeside Street to North Shore Drive has been selected for funding and is expected to be constructed in 2025 or 2026. Phase Two includes the segment from East Olin Avenue to East Lakeside Street is currently in design and will be fully designed with construction occurring when funding is available. The Broom Street Intersection is currently being analyzed for potential alternatives to ensure compatibility with improvements to the North Shore Drive intersection.

John Nolen Drive

A number of exciting improvements are being considered, including:

Reconstruction of six bridges along the causeway
Lane configuration and cross section changes
Expansion of the existing path to separate bike path and pedestrian facilities
Shoreline reconstruction along Lake Monona
Pedestrian and bike underpass between North Shore Drive and Broom Street
Reconstruction of storm sewer
Traffic signals and street lighting
Others to be determined through public involvement process

Listen to other John Nolen Drive Podcast Episodes:
Everyday Engineering Podcast Episode: Construction Nuts and Bolts: Future John Nolen Drive
Everyday Engineering Podcast Episode: Thank you, John Nolen!

Project Schedule

This project will be planned and designed in coordination with the ongoing with the Monona Waterfront Design Challenge

The process began in 2021 and is expected to run through 2026. It will include analysis of existing conditions, feasibility studies, and a robust community engagement process to inform preliminary and final designs.

Preliminary Design
2021 – 2023
Final Design
2024
Construction
2025-2026

Public Involvement

Public involvement is a central element to the planning process for this project. The public involvement process will utilize a range of tools including public meetings and workshops, small group meetings, surveys, event tabling and intercept interviews, and other effective methods proven to ensure the final designs are informed by the community.