John Nolen Drive
Monthly Meeting Updates
Monthly construction progress meetings will be held IN-PERSON at the field office located at 701 E Washington Ave, Suite LL3 (former Brink Lounge) on the first Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m. starting on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. The public is welcome to attend these meetings to learn about construction progress, upcoming work, as well as opportunity to ask questions of the construction team. Access to the field office building is located off of the back parking lot, which is accessed off of the S Blount St driveway. There will be door signs setup directing the public where to go to find the meeting location.
Latest Update 12/12/2025
General Project Information
The John Nolen Drive project includes reconstructing John Nolen Drive and six bridges that span the causeway. New curb and gutter with a raised median separating northbound and southbound traffic will narrow traffic lanes to calm high traffic speeds. The Capital City Trail will be moved further from the roadway with the addition of three new bridge structures, increasing pedestrian safety and greenspace along the corridor. The trail will also be widened, increasing the capacity of the trail, with separate paths for bikes and foot traffic.
Project Schedule
Stage 2 Start Date: November 24, 2025
Anticipated Stage 2 Completion: August 2026
Current Stage / Traffic Impacts – Stage 2
Work entails reconstructing southbound John Nolen Drive, reconstructing three bridges on the causeway, and the Basset to Bedford pedestrian path.
- John Nolen Dr restricted to one lane each direction on existing northbound lanes
- No left turns from Broom St to John Nolen Dr
- Nighttime full closures (causeway only) anticipated for bridge girder installation
Upcoming Stage / Traffic Impacts – Stage 2a
(anticipated start in late February and concurrent with Stage 2)
Work entails reconstructing the western half of the Broom St intersection
- John Nolen Dr restricted to one lane each direction on existing northbound lanes
- Broom St closed between W Wilson St and John Nolen Dr
- Bike and pedestrian traffic detoured to North Shore during railroad reconstruction. Railroad work performed by others under contract with WSOR.
Work Week of 12/15/25
- Cofferdam installation continues at southernmost bridge
- Bridge demolition (deck and girder removal) continues
Work Week of 12/22/25
- Bridge demolition (deck and girder removal) continues
- No work is scheduled 12/24-12/26
Traffic/Pedestrian/Bike Impacts
- The temporary crosswalk on the north side of Broom St is in place and will be the only crossing at Broom St until the project is complete. Sidewalk along the southern side of Broom St is closed.
- The Capital City Trail remains open. No additional trail disruptions are anticipated until summer of 2026. Cyclists are encouraged to dismount from their bikes when crossing active construction zones near Broom St and North Shore Dr.
- All vehicles on John Nolen Dr use existing northbound lanes between Lakeside St and the Monona Terrace.
- Southbound traffic is reduced to one lane prior to entering the active work zone. Motorists should utilize all lanes and avoid early merging.
- Northbound traffic will see message boards providing direction on where to “zipper merge”. Motorists should utilize all lanes and avoid early merging.
- Motorists are reminded the statutory speed limit has been reduced to 25mph for the duration of the project. The state of Wisconsin doubles fines in construction or work zones when workers are present. These doubled fines apply not only to speeding, but also other traffic violations such as unsafe lane changes or failure to yield.
Please be alert when traveling along the John Nolen Drive corridor. Please note that some work is dependent on weather and may be subject to change. Thank you in advance for your patience throughout this project.
Events
Olin Park is currently hosting the annual Fantasy in Lights display. Access remains available from both E Lakeside St and Olin-Turville Ct.
Welcome to the Holiday Fantasy in Lights - Fantasy In Lights
NECA and IBEW Local 159, along with many sponsors, bring you the 37th Annual Holiday Fantasy in Lights. 6 weeks of lights at Olin Park for all to drive through and enjoy at no charge. Over 60 lighted holiday displays to include tunnels and local scenes and treats. Lights on at Dusk- Candy Canes handled out at the exit 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Lights on every single evening through Dec. 31, 2025.
Contact Information
Mark Sponem, WisDOT – Project Manager
Email: mark.sponem@dot.wi.gov
Dan Bauknecht, WisDOT – Project Engineer
Email: daniel.bauknecht@dot.wi.gov
If you would like to be added to the weekly update distribution list, please sign up using the subscribe button on the project website or email your name and email address to daniel.bauknecht@dot.wi.gov.
Progress Photos
Past Updates
Project Information
The John Nolen Drive Reconstruction project will encompass a number of infrastructure design improvements along the causeway between E Olin Avenue and S Broom Street.
Phase One of the project includes the segment from E Lakeside Street to S Broom Street and has been selected for funding and is expected to be constructed in 2025-2026. Phase Two includes the segment from E Olin Avenue to E Lakeside Street and will be fully designed and constructed once funding is available.
Overview Exhibit
North Shore - Broom St Exhibit
Phase One (E Lakeside St to S Broom St) will include the following improvements:
- Reconstruction of six bridges along the causeway, with 3 new separated bridges for the bike and pedestrian facilities
- Lane configuration and cross section changes to urbanize the roadway and provide traffic calming
- Expansion of the existing path to separate bike and pedestrian facilities
- Shoreline reconstruction along Lake Monona
- Reconstruction of storm sewer
- Traffic signals and street lighting
- Improvements to the North Shore Dr and S Broom St intersections
- Coordination with potential future improvements identified in the Lake Monona Waterfront Master Plan
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
- 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!
Business Resources
City's Road Reconstruction Business Guide
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.
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Preliminary Design Active
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Final Design Upcoming
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Construction Upcoming