Latest updates - August 28, 2025
The District construction project in the Highland Avenue area is complete. All roads and ramps are open, and they will not need to be closed again for the District project.
Work for the week of August 25
- Continue landscape restoration.
- Pavement marking, including white lines in the off-ramp.
- Final clean-up.
- Remove traffic control devices and open the on-ramp.
Remaining work
- The interceptor pipe under the on-ramp will undergo testing that is required 30 days after installation. This testing will likely take place on a Saturday in mid-September. The Contractor will need to access one MH that is approximately 3 feet off the curb in the on-ramp. The on-ramp will remain open.
- Asphalt ramps at the NE corner of Stevens Street and Farley Avenue will be removed.
Upcoming work led by the City of Madison
- After the completion of the District's Highland Ave. Sewer Project, the City of Madison will seal the tops of the Campus Drive bridges over Highland Avenue and Walnut Street as part of a separate project.
- The sealing process is expected to take 1-2 days per lane. At least one lane in each direction on Campus Drive will be open at all times.
- After the deck sealing, the repairs on the underside of the Campus Drive bridges will resume. Lane closures on Highland Avenue underneath the bridge will be one lane at a time, outside of peak hours.
- If there are any questions regarding the City project, please contact Steve Sonntag at 608-267-1997.
Current traffic impacts
- None.
Project overview
Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District’s West Intercepting System is a complex network of sewers that provides service to the near west side of Madison, Middleton, Shorewood Hills and Westport. The original West Interceptor was built in 1916, extended to Middleton in 1932 and there have been several more extensions, reliefs and replacements added to the system over the years. The existing interceptor needed to be replaced to increase capacity, which ensures the safe and reliable conveyance of wastewater while protecting public health and the environment.
Project work for the West Intercepting System has been taking place over multiple phases. You can learn more about other portions of the project and the project history on our Highland Ave. Sewer Project page, West Interceptor–Shorewood Relief (Phases 1-3) page and the West Interceptor Rehab-Segoe Road to Shorewood Boulevard page.
Highland Section
Construction of the West Interceptor-Shorewood Relief (Highland Section) in Highland Avenue and in the Campus Drive on and off ramps was originally planned for 2023 and was rescheduled to take place in 2025. (see overall project map)
Highland Section Narrative
Highland Section Map
Visit the Highland Ave. Sewer Project page for traffic maps and detours
Construction schedule and impacts
Construction of the Highland Section began May 12, 2025 (after UW-Madison graduation) and was scheduled to be complete by Labor Day 2025 (before UW went back in session).
Construction of the Highland Section had major traffic impacts to the University Hospital, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), the VA Hospital, areas of UW-Madison campus west of Babcock Drive and other facilities. There was no work on University Bay Drive, which remained fully open throughout the project.
- May 12 to June 30 (Stage 1): The westbound off-ramp from University Avenue/Campus Drive to Highland Avenue was closed starting approximately May 12, 2025 and remained closed until approximately June 27, 2025.
- June 30 to August 8 (Stage 2): The southbound lanes of Highland Avenue and both westbound ramps to/from University Avenue/Campus Drive were closed.
- August 8 to August 25 (Stage 3): Only the on-ramp to Campus Drive from Highland Avenue was closed. Stage 3 work was originally scheduled to be complete by September 5, 2025.
Public involvement
At the public information meeting for Phase 3 of the District’s West Interceptor-Shorewood Relief (Phases 1-3) project, we presented design and restoration plans, tentative construction sequence and schedule (subject to change), planned detours and resources for the public during construction. The presentation was followed by a Q&A period.
Postcards with information about project meetings were sent to residents within 300 to 400 feet of the project. Additional postcards were also sent about the project.
In addition to the public meetings, the District has been in ongoing coordination discussions with utilities, municipalities, hospitals, the railroad and other agencies and stakeholders.
