Highland Avenue Railroad Crossing Closure Begins October 9

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Highland Avenue will close at the railroad tracks between Campus Drive and the VA driveway beginning at 5 a.m. Friday, October 9, 2026, for a Wisconsin & Southern Railroad crossing replacement project. The street is expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Wednesday, October 14.

Closure Details

Closure of Highland Avenue at railroad tracks from October 9 to October 14.

WSOR will replace the deteriorating track crossing.  Crews will work through the weekend, during regular daytime work hours.  The schedule has been coordinated with UW–Madison, UW Health, and the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital to minimize disruptions.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Access

Pedestrian detour route for Highland closure using eastbound University Ave to northbound Walnut St to sidewalk or bike path on north side of Campus Drive

The closure includes both sidewalks across the tracks. Pedestrians will be detoured to Walnut Street using the bike path and University Avenue. The Campus Drive on- and off-ramps and the bike path immediately north of the tracks will remain open.

UW Hospital and VA Access

Vehicle detour route for Highland closure using eastbound University Ave, connect with westbound Campus Drive, northbound Walnut St to Highland Ave.
Vehicle detour route leaving UW Hospital or VA use northbound Highland Ave to Campus drive or use northbound Highland to Observatory drive to southbound Walnut St to University Ave.

Temporary traffic changes will include a southbound Highland Avenue U-turn at the VA driveway and modified lane designations at Highland Avenue and Observatory Drive. City staff will monitor traffic cameras and adjust signal timing as needed. Travelers should allow extra time and follow posted detours, which will direct eastbound drivers to use Walnut Street and westbound drivers to use University Bay Drive.  

Resources

UW Transportation Services webpage

Highland Avenue Railroad Crossing Replacement project webpage

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