Latest updates - July 9, 2025
Stage 2 traffic control began Monday, June 30. Traffic from the UW Hospital parking ramp is directed south on Highland and makes a U-turn to northbound Highland at the signal lights for the VA/FPL entrances. The Stage 2 traffic control is working as designed to reduce or eliminate traffic back-ups in the parking ramp.
Reopening of the off-ramp and SB Highland is currently scheduled for July 28.
NOTE: The off-ramp will need to be closed again at a later date (TBD) for approximately 1 week in order to remove the bypass pipe and pave the asphalt surface course.
Work for the week of July 7
- Install spray-on liner in MH02-520 in SB Highland Avenue.
- Continue installation of 42-inch diameter pipe from existing MH02-520 in SB Highland to the west toward new MH08-298 in the on-ramp.
- Install storm sewer in the off-ramp.
- Air test new sewer pipe in the off-ramp.
- Install spray-on liner in new MHs in the off-ramp
- Aggregate base course installation in the off-ramp.
Work for the week of July 14
- Continue installation of 42-inch diameter pipe from existing MH02-520 in SB Highland to the west toward new MH08-298 in the on-ramp.
- Install new MH08-298 in the on-ramp.
- Remove remaining concrete pavement in SB Highland.
- Prep for new concrete pavement in SB Highland.
- Pour new concrete pavement in SB Highland and allow cure time.
- Continue aggregate base course installation in the off-ramp.
- Pour concrete curb and gutter in the off-ramp and allow cure time.
- Start finish grading in the off-ramp.
Work for the week of July 21
- Continue installation new MH08-298 in the on-ramp.
- Miscellaneous clean up in SB Highland and the on-ramp.
- Continue finish grading in the off-ramp.
- Paving in the off-ramp. Binder course only. Surface course to be paved after bypass pipe is removed.
- Landscape restoration and miscellaneous clean up.
Current traffic impacts
- The off-ramp from westbound Campus Drive to Highland Avenue will be closed from Monday, May 12 through late July. Previously, opening the off-ramp was anticipated in mid-July.
- Southbound Highland Avenue will be closed from June 30 to late July.
- Southbound Highland traffic will U-turn to northbound Highland at the signal light for the VA/FPL entrance through late July. Signal light will alternate timing for northbound and southbound traffic.
- Northbound turn lane from Highland Avenue to the westbound on-ramp will be closed from June 30 to late July.
- Sidewalk on the west side of Highland Avenue from the RR tracks to the south side of Campus Drive will be closed from June 30 to late July.
- Westbound on-ramp from Highland Avenue to University Avenue/Campus Drive will be closed from June 30 to early September.
- All lanes of University Avenue/Campus Drive are open.
- Detours are required for traffic that would normally use the westbound off-ramp and on-ramp from or to University Avenue/Campus Drive to or from Highland Avenue.
- Northbound Highland Avenue will remain open for the duration of the project.
- The Campus Drive Pedestrian and Bicycle Path will remain open for the duration of the project.
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 needs 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 has been 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 is scheduled to be complete by Labor Day 2025 (before UW is back in session).
Construction of the Highland Section will have 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 is no work on University Bay Drive, which will remain fully open throughout the project.
- May 12 to June 30 (Stage 1): The westbound off-ramp from University Avenue/Campus Drive to Highland Avenue will be closed starting approximately May 12, 2025 and may remain closed until approximately June 27, 2025. View Stage 1 map (PDF)
- June 30 to late July (Stage 2): The southbound lanes of Highland Avenue and both westbound ramps to/from University Avenue/Campus Drive will be closed for up to 28 calendar days.
- Late July to late Aug./early Sept. (Stage 3): Only the on-ramp to Campus Drive from Highland Avenue will be closed. Stage 3 work may last up to 42 calendar days and is scheduled to be complete no later than September 5, 2025.
Dates are approximate. Work is weather dependent and may be subject to change.
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.
