John Nolen Drive

Latest Update

3/05/2024:

The project team continues to make progress on the planning and design for the John Nolen Drive Reconstruction project. The team is planning to host the next Public Informational Meeting in Fall 2024, more information to come on that meeting at a later date. The team is working towards construction beginning in 2025. 

Overview Exhibit
North Shore - Broom St Exhibit


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.

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

Map

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: 

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.

  1. Preliminary Design Active

  2. Final Design Upcoming

  3. Construction Upcoming

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.

Public Information Meetings

There are no upcoming events.

Feb. 23, 2023 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint
Feb. 23, 2023 Public Information Meeting Recording

Oct. 4, 2021 Public Information Meeting Recording
Oct. 4, 2021 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation

City Process Meetings

Transportation Commission

Presentation from the April 12, 2023 Transportation Commission:

Presentation from the May 24, 2023 Transportation Commission:

Roadway Geometry Approval/Preferred Alternative:  June 7, 2023

Board of Public Works

Roadway Geometry Approval/Preferred Alternative:  June 21, 2023

Final design approval: Information will be posted when available. Estimated Spring 2024

Common Council

Roadway Geometry Approval/Preferred Alternative:  July 11, 2023

Final design approval: Information will be posted when available. Estimated Spring 2024

News Releases

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