Traffic Impacts

The reconstruction of John Nolen Drive will have substantial traffic impacts throughout the construction duration, which will impact vehicular, bicycle/pedestrian, boat traffic, and railroad traffic. For vehicle traffic specifically, one lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained at all times. A general outline of individual construction stages and associated traffic control impacts is listed below and detailed on the Traffic Control Impacts PDF. In addition, the  City Parks-led Madison LakeWay improvements will be occurring following the completion of the John Nolen Drive reconstruction, the exact timeline and traffic impacts of the Madison LakeWay work are not yet known.

John Nolen Drive Traffic Control Impacts Document

Stage 1 (October 2025 – November 2025)

• Construction Items

  • Traffic Crossovers
  • Temporary Items for Construction

• Traffic Impacts

  • One Vehicle Lane in Each Direction Open along the Causeway
  • All Intersections Open
  • Capital City Trail along Causeway Open

Stage 2 (November 2025 – July 2026)

• Construction Items

  • Southbound Causeway Roadway & Bridges
  • North Shore Dr & Broom St Intersections (including Railroad Crossings)
  • New Path along Brittingham Park (north-side of John Nolen Dr & North Shore Dr)

• Traffic Impacts

  • One Vehicle Lane in Each Direction Open along the Causeway
  • North Shore Dr & Broom St Intersections will be Closed for specified durations (with turn-lane restrictions throughout stage)
    • Intersection closures will occur one at time.
    • Sidewalk closures at intersections to last an estimated ~10 Days
    • Roadway closures at intersections to last an estimated ~50-60 Days
  • Capital City Trail along Causeway Open

Stage 3 (July 2026 – June 2027)

• Construction Items

  • Northbound Causeway Roadway & Bridges
  • Capital City Trail along Causeway
  • Shoreline Revetment along Causeway
  • Madison LakeWay Improvements (separate project)

• Traffic Impacts

  • One Vehicle Lane in Each Direction Open along the Causeway
  • North Shore Dr & Broom St Intersections remain Open (with turn-lane restrictions)
  • Capital City Trail along Causeway Closed during Entire Stage
    • Detour route along Monona Bay

Stage 4 (June 2027 – July 2027)

• Construction Items

  • Medians
  • Final Asphalt Surface
  • Madison LakeWay Improvements (separate project) – will continue beyond July 2027

• Traffic Impacts

  • One Vehicle Lane in Each Direction Open along the Causeway
  • North Shore Dr & Broom St Intersections remain Open
  • Capital City Trail along Causeway TBD – dependent on Madison LakeWay Improvements
    • Detour route along Monona Bay (if needed)