John Nolen Drive
Latest Update
9/23/2025:
Thank you to everyone who attended the Sept. 22, 2025 Public Information Meeting. The meeting materials are now available:
- Sept. 22, 2025 Public Information Meeting Recording
- Sept. 22, 2025 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
- Sept. 22, 2025 Public Information Meeting Q&A Report
- Final John Nolen Dr Overview Exhibit
- Link John Nolen Gateway Newsletter
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.
Overview Exhibit
North Shore - Broom St Exhibit
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
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
- 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:
- Everyday Engineering Podcast Episode: Construction Nuts and Bolts: Future John Nolen Drive
- Everyday Engineering Podcast Episode: Thank you, John Nolen!
Business Resources
City's Road Reconstruction Business Guide
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.