Closure John Nolen Drive, starting 8/19/11

Beginning August 19th, the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad will be replacing the rail crossing of John Nolen Drive near Olin Avenue. This will require the complete closure of John Nolen Drive between Olin Avenue and North Shore Drive, beginning at 9 AM Friday, August 19th, and lasting until 6 AM Monday, August 22nd. This will also require closure of the Capital City Bike Trail in both directions at Olin Avenue. Signed detour routes will be provided as follows: Motorized Traffic: For southbound John Nolen Drive traffic, all traffic will be required to turn right onto North Shore Drive and directed to turn left onto W. Washington Avenue and turn left onto Park Street. Once on Park Street, traffic will be able to continue south to the Beltline either via Park Street, Fish Hatchery, or Olin Avenue. For northbound John Nolen Drive traffic, all traffic will be required to turn left onto Olin Avenue, and then will be directed to turn right onto Park Street, right onto W. Washington Avenue, right onto Proudfit/North Shore Drive, and left onto John Nolen Drive. Bicycle Traffic: Southbound bicycle traffic will be routed onto the Wingra Creek Path where it intersects Olin-Turville Court. From there, bicyclists will be directed onto the Olin Avenue Side Path and then back onto the Capital City Trail near Olin Avenue. Northbound bicycle traffic will directed onto the Olin Avenue side path at Olin Avenue. From there, bicyclists will be directed onto the Wingra Creek Path and then back onto the Capital City Path at Olin-Turville Court. Severe traffic congestion can be expected on John Nolen Drive, Park Street, North Shore Drive and W. Washington Avenue exiting downtown during the PM peak travel periods on Friday, August 19th. Increased congestion can also be expected on all routes exiting downtown during this timeframe, as motorists look for alternative routes to exit downtown. Motorists are encouraged to shift work times or consider alternative modes of transportation such as Madison Metro, bicycling, walking, or carpooling to avoid delays or help reduce congestion during the PM peak travel periods. ###### ___________________________________________________ David C. Dryer, P.E., City Traffic Engineer and Parking Manager