Section of Observatory Drive to close for utility project

The traditional spring and summer construction season on campus really hasn’t begun yet, but Observatory Drive between Charter Street and Babcock Drive is expected to be closed to traffic from Tuesday, Feb. 14, to Friday, Feb. 25, due to a construction project near the Soils Building at 1525 Observatory Drive.

Crews will be digging a trench for a steam line across the roadway just east of the driveway to the building.

Transportation Services has notified Lot 26 permit holders that they will be able to park on Observatory Drive, but that access will be limited. Specifically, they were advised:

• Lot 26 permit holders who usually park behind the Soils Building will be able to access the lot only from Babcock Drive.
• Lot 26 permit holders who park along Observatory Drive east of the Soils Building will be able to enter and exit the lot only from Charter Street. Returning to Charter Street will require a U-turn.
• Lot 26 permit holders may choose to avoid the construction area and park in Lot 34. They should remember to display their annual parking permits, which are valid in permit stalls only. They are not valid in reserved stalls. Permit holders do not need to notify Transportation Services that they parked in Lot 34.

Observatory Drive is scheduled to reopen to one-way traffic on Saturday, Feb. 26. The traffic flow will be westbound from Charter Street to Babcock Drive for about two months.

Lot 26 permit holders may then park along Observatory Drive, but must drive and park facing west only on either side of the street.

If you have special parking needs, would like advice for work-related parking during this time, or have other questions, contact a Transportation Services customer service representative at customerservice@fpm.wisc.edu or call 263-6667.