Traffic detours have been implemented on the UW-Madison campus on and around Observatory Drive because of construction on N Charter Street. The detours will stay in effect until October, when the project is scheduled for completion.
Due to an underground utility project, which is related to steam and chilled water service, N Charter Street has closed between Observatory and Linden drives, and Observatory Drive is now one-way westbound from Lot 11, at Bascom Hall, to Babcock Drive.
The detour will prevent drivers, including those on mopeds, from proceeding beyond Babcock Drive while heading east on Observatory. However, two-way access will be maintained between Park Street and Lot 11 as well as to Lot 26, at Soil Science, which is just east of Babcock Drive.
University Police central campus Officer Kristin Radtke advised drivers to abide by the traffic signs posted along Observatory Drive and at Babcock Drive through Lot 26, according to a statement issued by the university.
In addition, employees who have permits for parking areas 25 and 26 cannot travel eastbound on Observatory Drive through Park Street due to the construction.
According to a statement issued by the university, these employees should head west on Observatory Drive to Walnut Street or Highland Avenue instead to avoid expected traffic backups, especially during rush hour, on Babcock Drive, Linden Drive and Charter Street.
