John Nolen Drive
*For information on construction happening starting 9/9/24, please see the Lakeside/Olin-Turville project webpage.
Latest Update
5/14/2025 Update:
The North Shore Dr Path will reconstruct the existing sidewalk between the Southwest Path and S Bedford St into a widened asphalt path that will connect with a future Brittingham Park path to be built with the John Nolen Dr reconstruction project. The City Contractor (S&L Underground) for the North Shore Dr Path project has begun construction at the North Shore Dr & S Bedford St intersection. In order to construct the raised crossing for the path across S Bedford St, the Contractor will be closing S Bedford St at North Shore Dr which started Monday, May 12 – the closure is anticipated to last up to four (4) weeks. Access to S Bedford St (and adjacent streets off of Bedford) should come from the north via W Washington Ave for the duration of this closure.
The John Nolen Dr reconstruction is anticipated to start this Fall 2025, more updates to come on that project closer to the anticipated start of construction. See ‘Traffic Impacts’ page below for anticipated traffic impacts once the larger John Nolen Dr project begins.
https://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/projects/john-nolen-drive/traffic-impacts
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.