Rutledge Street Reconstruction
October 2, 2025 Update
City Operations finished lowering one sanitary structure on the intersection between Russell Street and Yahara Place. The Contractor is working on lowering the other two sanitary structures on Yahara Place. Terraces along the project that were restored can be mowed now to keep weeds out.
The City Inspector, Pual Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com, 608-261-9678 and Troy Vant, tvant@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4914. They will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.
View past project updates »Project Details
Project Information
Project Overview

The project will include replacement of the asphalt pavement, gravel base, curb & gutter, and spot replacement for sidewalk and driveway aprons as well as pedestrian crossing improvements. The project also includes replacement of sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water main, street signs, and pavement markings.
Resurfacing on Division Street (Rutledge Street to Oakridge Avenue) includes removing and replacing the asphalt pavement.
Two spot pavement replacements on Yahara Place to lower sanitary structures.
Project Exhibit
Construction Facts & Details document
Project Limits
Rutledge St - Riverside Dr to Division St
Division St - Rutledge St to Oakridge Ave
Yahara Pl - Intersection on Russell St and bend on 2034 Yahara Pl
Project Schedule
Design: Winter 2023, Winter/Spring 2024
Bids Advertised: Spring/Summer 2024
Construction: Spring/Summer 2025
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
Thank you to everyone who attended the December 18, 2023 Public Information Meeting. The meeting recording and Power Point presentation are available.
Dec. 18, 2023 Public Information Meeting Recording
Dec.18, 2023 Power Point Presentation
Jan.17, 2024 Transportation Commission
Questionnaire
Please take the questionnaire by 4 p.m., Feb. 14, 2024:
Rutledge Street Reconstruction Questionnaire
City Process, Meetings
Board of Public Works February 21, 2024
Common Council March 5, 2024
Mailings
Board of Works Public Hearing February 21, 2024: Notice of Meeting, Fact and Details, Schedule of Assessments
Notice of Construction Date Change: Letter May 21, 2024
Project Updates
October 2, 2025 Update
City Operations finished lowering one sanitary structure on the intersection between Russell Street and Yahara Place. The Contractor is working on lowering the other two sanitary structures on Yahara Place. Terraces along the project that were restored can be mowed now to keep weeds out.
The City Inspector, Pual Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com, 608-261-9678 and Troy Vant, tvant@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4914. They will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.
September 18, 2025 Update
The Contractor did final paving last week and the street markings were painted yesterday. The work will continue on removing barricades and parking restrictions signs to open the road to the public. Also, City Operations and Capitol Underground are working on finishing lowering the sanitary structures on Yahara Place.
The City Inspector, Pual Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com, 608-261-9678 and Troy Vant, tvant@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4914. They will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.
August 25, 2025 Update
The Contractor is paving the asphalt binder today. Then work will continue with terrace restoration, lowering the two sanitary structures on Yahara Place and final paving.
The City Inspectors are Paul Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com , 608-261-9678, and Troy Vant, tvant@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4914. They are the best on-site contacts throughout construction work.
August 7, 2025 Update
The Contractor is finishing the concrete work and driveways can be open early next week. Work will continue with finishing grading and terrace restoration. Street paving is potentially scheduled for the week of Aug. 26, 2025.
The City Inspector, Pual Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com, 608-261-9678 and Troy Vant, tvant@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4914. They will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.
July 21, 2025 Update
The Contractor has completed all utility replacement up Division St. Work will continuing on underdrain and grading the street. Concrete work for curb and gutter up to Division St is going to done by the end of this week or next.
The City Inspector, Pual Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com, 608-261-9678 and Troy Vant, tvant@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4914. They will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.
June 27, 2025 Update
The Contractor has completed all utility replacement and curb and gutter concrete work up to Walton Pl. The Contractor is continuing work on replacing the water main up to Russell St and sidewalk concrete work on the first two blocks of Rutledge St.
The City Inspector, Pual Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com, 608-261-9678 and Troy Vant, tvant@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4914. They will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.
June 2, 2025 Update
The Contractor has completed all utility replacement on the first block of Rutledge St from Riverside Dr to Clemons Ave. Work with the replacing the water main will continue up to Russell St and then going back to work on water services. Then the Contractor will continue with replacement of the sanitary sewer main.
The City Inspector, Pual Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com, 608-261-9678 and Troy Vant, tvant@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4914. They will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.
May 5, 2025 Update
The Contractor is currently working with the replacement of the sanitary sewer main on the first block of Rutledge St and is going to come back to work on sanitary laterals. The start of work for storm sewer is expected within the next two weeks.
The City Inspector, Pual Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com, 608-261-9678 and Troy Vant, tvant@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4914. They will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.
April 22, 2025 Update
Water main work is complete and the Contractor is currently working on water laterals and is going to start with sanitary work next week.
The City Inspector, Pual Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com, 608-261-9678 and Troy Vant, tvant@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4914. They will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.
April 10, 2025 Update
Construction has started on Rutledge Street and should be completed around early August, 2025.
The City of Madison has awarded the contract to Capitol Underground, Inc.
The City Inspector contact has change to Paul Lauby, plauby@cityofmadison.com, 608-261-9678 and Troy Vant, tvant@cityofmadison.com, 608-266-4914. They will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.
March 31, 2025 Update
The Rutledge Street reconstruction (Riverside Drive to Division Street/Lakeland Avenue), Division Street resurface (Rutledge Street/Lakeland Avenue to Jenifer Street/Oakridge Avenue) and two spot replacement on Yahara Place are scheduled to begin the week of April 7, 2025, and should be completed around early August, 2025.
The City of Madison has awarded the contract to Capitol Underground, Inc.
The City Inspector, Shawn Beer, sbeer@cityofmadison.com, 608-267-1970 will be the best on-site contact throughout construction work.
Please review the Construction Facts & Details document.
January 17, 2025 Update
MG&E has completed all the work for the gas main and services upgrade along Rutledge Street. The reconstruction project is schedule for this spring, typically early-mid April with the contract awarded to Capitol Underground.
December 4, 2024 Update
MG&E anticipate to complete the gas main installation on the southeast side of Rutledge Street in two weeks and then would have a week for restoration. For question regarding the work, please contact John Wichern, jwichern@mge.com, 608-252-1231 or Pat Haines, phaines@mge.com, 608-252-5615.
November 11, 2024 Update
MG&E has completed the work for the gas main on the northwest side of Rutledge Street, and services are being transferred anticipating completion by the end of this week. Continuing the work with sidewalk replacement up to the middle of next week and then switching for the southeast side of Rutledge Street which Meade has 4-5 week to complete the work depending on the conditions. For questions regarding the work, please contact Holly Powell, hpowell@mge.com, 608-252-7214 or Pat Haines, phaines@mge.com, 608-252-5615.
October 10, 2024 Update
MG&E will begin their gas main and lateral upgrade along Rutledge Street. Work will begin the week of Oct. 14. The anticipated completion is the week of December 2. During this period, street parking will be temporarily unavailable. MG&E crews will begin work on the south side of Rutledge Street, staging the drill at the intersection of Walton Place. The drilling process will proceed towards Riverside Drive and then turn to drill towards Lakeland Avenue. This sequence will be repeated on the north side of Rutledge Street. Once the gas main is installed, individual gas services will be drilled in starting from Riverside Drive and continue towards Lakeland Avenue. For questions regarding the work, please contact Holly Powell, hpowell@mge.com, 608-252-7214 or Pat Hines, phaines@mge.com, 608-252-5615.
Capitol Underground has been awarded the contract to reconstruct Rutledge Street in 2025. The project will begin in the spring of 2025, typically early-mid April.
September 4, 2024 Update
Capitol Underground has been awarded the contract to reconstruct Rutledge Street in 2025. The project will begin in the spring of 2025, typically early-mid April.
The design team has approved MG&E's work plan. MG&E is working on acquiring a permit from the City to complete their work. The design team is waiting for MG&E's schedule for their work. Once the schedule is received, it will be shared on the project website.
July 25, 2024 Update
The low bidder on the Rutledge Street reconstruction project was Capitol Underground, Inc. For the next steps the low bidder was approved at the July 24 Board of Public Works Meeting and is going to be approved at the August 6 Common Council Meeting. We continue to work with MG&E on getting final plans and anticipate their work will take place this Fall.
May 24, 2024 Update
City Engineering would like to inform that the street reconstruction has been moved from 2024 to 2025. As mentioned in the last update when putting together the final design, Rutledge St ended requiring a significant amount of new storm sewer to be installed to address drainage issues. This additional new storm sewer is directly in conflict with MG&E gas main and services, because both utilities are going to be at the same depth underground. MG&E is working on their final plans and needs to resolve these conflicts first so that the construction on Rutledge St can progress safely and efficiently. Given the number for the anticipated conflicts, we know it will take MG&E several weeks to complete the work, but specifics on their final plans are still not known. Another factor is the availability for construction crew on MG&E as currently they are working on other City projects that are already underway, along with private developments needing services, and works in other communities that they serve.
Compared to other projects where streets with multiple blocks to work, the City’s contractor and MG&E can sometimes coordinate the crew and be working at the same time. However Rutledge St has very limited space to work, few access points, and several driveways that need access for majority of the project. It would not be reasonable to fit all the materials (pipes, gravel, etc.), the equipment, trucking access, and the resident’s access through Rutledge St project area for both the City’s contractor and MG&E’s contractor to complete all the work at the same time.
We are anticipating the MG&E work will likely take place this fall and potentially early 2025. The City’s project is likely to start once weather conditions allows. With the uncertainty on finals plans and the crew availability in the immediate future, it won’t be possible to complete all the work on Rutledge St this year, and wanted to communicate that as soon as it became clear.
May 9, 2024 Update
The project is currently finishing the design phase, getting for bid in May or June 2024 and has been pushed to start construction until 2025. During the final street design, the team determined that a significant amount of proposed storm sewer and rain garden are going to conflict with the existing MG&E gas main and gas laterals. We are currently working with MG&E on the full scope of their work, and we anticipate MG&E to complete their work ahead of the City project in 2024. Due to the limits of the right-of-way and space on Rutledge St it is the City’s preference to not have MG&E’s contractor and street reconstruction contractor working in the same area. By moving the project to 2025 it will avoid delays related to MG&E’s work.
February 22, 2024 Update
The design team presented the project to the Board of Public Works on February 21, 2024. The Board approved the plans, specifications, and assessments. The Board also recommend option 1C as the option maintained the street at 28’ for flexibility in future transportation needs and provides traffic calming with street parking on both sides.
February 21, 2024 Update
The design team will attend and present the project design to the Board of Public Works meeting on February 21, 2024. After the feedback received from the second questionnaire with a total of 140 responses with 27 being from the project limits, option 1C is going to be rule out with 38 votes for support. The design team will be presenting option 1A which have a slight preference with 48 votes and preserves the flexibility for future transportation needs. Also, presenting option 2A with 45 votes and has a slight traffic calming benefits with reduction in impervious area. The design team will seek an option recommendation from the Board of Public Works.
February 6, 2024 Update
A questionnaire has been created for this project for public input.
Please take the questionnaire by 2 p.m., Feb. 14, 2024:
Rutledge Street Reconstruction Questionnaire
January 12, 2024 Update
The design team has come up with a new design option 1C to be presented to the Transportation Commission on January 17, 2024. Since the public meeting Metro has told Engineering and Traffic Engineering about possibly returning to Rutledge in the future. The design option proposes a 28’ street width from face of curb to face of curb, same as option 1A. Street parking on both sides as a traffic calming measure until Metro decides to return. Once Metro returns, the street would operate as it does now with parking on the south side.
December 20, 2023 Update
The design team will attend and present the project design to the Transporation Commission on January 17, 2024, seeking an option recommendation.
December 20, 2023 Update
Thank you to everyone who attended the December 18, 2023 Public Information Meeting. The meeting recording and PowerPoint presentation are available.
Dec. 18, 2023 Public Information Meeting Recording
Dec. 18, 2023 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
December 4, 2023 Update
A virtual public information meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., Dec. 18, 2023, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.
Dec. 18, 2023 Public Information Meeting Registration
A questionnaire is also available. Please fill out the questionnaire by 5 p.m., Jan. 3, 2024.
October 23, 2023 Update
This project page has been created. The project is currently in the design phase. A public information meeting will be held to inform nearby residents and property owners of the upcoming street construction. Once the meeting is scheduled, the information about the date will be posted on the website with some additional details.