Last Updated: 10/04/2023

Latest Update

9/26/2023 Update:

Phase 2 Update

The Contractor is planning to pave the first layer of asphalt in the section from Merrill Springs Rd to the easterly project limits on Thursday, October 5th. Once the rollers have gone over the new pavement, it is drive-able with 3-4 hours. Concrete work on the remaining section will begin the week of October 9th, notices will be posted to individual residents prior to any driveway restrictions. Landscaping restoration will continue in areas once concrete work is complete, and mailboxes will be reinstalled per USPS guidelines. If you would like to request an alternative mailbox be reinstalled (in place of the old one), please contact Aaron Canton (contact info on this side of this project page).

Phase 1 Update

The Contractor has completed work on Lake Mendota Drive: Phase 1 (Baker Ave to Epworth Ct) and Traffic Engineering is completing their signing of the street.

Phase 3 Update

The City will start public engagement for Lake Mendota Drive: Phase 3 (Epworth Ct to Spring Harbor Dr) this Fall/Winter. Impacted residents will receive notification in the mail for future meetings.

2022 Project Overview

The first phase of reconstruction projects on Lake Mendota Dr. will include the portion from Baker Ave. thru Epworth Ct., and also includes the street-end portion of Capital Ave. from Lake Mendota Dr. to the lake. This project includes replacement of the pavement structure, along with installation of new curb and gutter and new sidewalk. Additionally, the storm sewer along the project will be replaced, and new storm sewer will be added as needed to maintain proper drainage. This project also includes installation of larger storm sewer pipe (60” equivalent) under Capital Ave. from the intersection with LMD to Lake Mendota. This storm sewer was a solution identified in the flood mitigation study.

The contract for the first phase of the Lake Mendota Dr. reconstruction was awarded to S&L Underground, and construction will begin in early September of 2022, in coordination with MG&E’s gas main replacement work. In the fall of 2022, the Contractor will complete the vast majority of the work on Lake Mendota Dr. between Baker Ave. and Laurel Crest, and they may complete the storm sewer work on the street end of Capital Ave. during the winter of 2022-23. The remaining work on the first phase of the Lake Mendota Dr. reconstruction (Laurel Crest thru Epworth Ct., and street work on Capital Ave. street end) will be completed in the spring/summer of 2023.

View 2022 Project Plan Fact and Details Sheet

Overview of Lake Mendota Drive Reconstruction Projects

The City of Madison is planning to reconstruct Lake Mendota Dr. Due to the size/scope of the work, this work will be completed over several years, with work being completed on several blocks each year. In 2022, work is planned for the western most blocks, in 2023, the eastern blocks, and the middle blocks in 2024.

In general, the reconstruction projects will include replacement of underground City utilities, especially storm sewer and sanitary sewer, and reconstruction of the street infrastructure (pavement, gravel base) along with any curb or sidewalk installations that are approved for the project(s). We have received many complaints from residents regarding the pavement condition along Lake Mendota Dr., and it has deteriorated to a point where periodic maintenance patching is no longer viable, so the streets will need to be reconstructed to provide a ridable surface for all users.

The City of Madison is committed to providing safe, reliable, and equitable transportation options for all residents. Sidewalks are vital to fulfilling this commitment, and their importance is well documented in the variety of plans and policies that have been adopted by the City, which help guide the design of all of our projects. In particular, this includes the Madison in Motion Transportation Plan, the Imagine Madison Comprehensive Plan, and Vision Zero. Sidewalks provide a safe space for all pedestrians to use and improve accessibility to the parks and schools in the area, and will provide the option to make short trips without using a vehicle. Whether you’re walking for transportation or recreation, pushing a stroller, a kid trying to get to school, or if you’re using a mobility aid, you should have facilities available to be able to do those activities safely and comfortably.

While there have not been a large number of crashes along Lake Mendota Dr. (6 since 2016), whenever the City proceeds with a significant project, we always review opportunities to improve safety and accessibility. Crash history does help guide our budgeting and project selection process, but, even though this project was scheduled primarily due to the pavement condition and drainage needs, it’s still important to review the project for possible safety improvements. These types of reconstruction projects and investments only occur once every several decades, so it would be irresponsible to ignore known safety and accessibility issues.

The Common Council approved the street geometrics for Lake Mendota Dr. on April 19, 2022. We believe that this approved plan provides a unique design for Lake Mendota Dr. that meets the City’s transportation goals, along with giving strong consideration to the environment including preservation of the tree canopy. As with all projects, protecting the existing tree canopy is a priority with this project, which is also important for maintaining the character of the neighborhood. With the project, the approved street design includes a reduced width and sidewalks, which results in an overall reduction in impervious area within the right-of-way.

Lake Mendota Dr. is currently a salt route for the City streets crews. Engineering, Streets, and Water Utility have collaborated on this project, and our Streets Division has come up with a couple of different options to significantly scale back the use of salt on the streets in the area. At a minimum, just be reducing the street width, this would allow any portions of Lake Mendota Dr. that remain salted to be done so with a single pass instead of 2. On sidewalks, individual property owners will have several options for clearing snow/ice that don’t involve salt use, options that can more easily be done on a smaller scale on their specific sections of sidewalk rather than on a larger scale, such as the entire street width. Also, we encourage any property owners that may hire contractors for snow removal on this sidewalks and driveways to consider hiring contractors that are certified salt applicators. Additionally, providing safe transportation options that allow people to make short trips by not using a car is also an important aspect of our sustainability goals.

Assessments 

We certainly understand that the assessments for these types of projects can be a burden to adjacent property owners.  For this reason, we have established a safe-routes grant that will cover 50% of the costs of any new sidewalks installed, and we can also request that the pay-back period for the assessments be extended out to 15 years, instead of the standard 8 years.  Additionally, the City offers financing to eligible home owners to assist with assessment payments.  More information on that program can be found on the City’s Office of Community Development website.
Proposed 2022 Assessments
Proposed 2023 Assessments

Project Limits

2022: Lake Mendota Dr. from Baker Ave. to Epworth Ct., and Capital Ave. from Lake Mendota Dr. to the lake

2023: Lake Mendota Dr. from Spring Harbor to the City/Village limits

2024: Lake Mendota Dr. from Epworth Ct. to Spring Harbor, and Norman Way from Lake Mendota Dr. to the lake

Public Involvement

There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates and times are indicated below:

Public Information Meetings

Thank you to everyone who has given feedback and input so far on this project. We’re grateful for your comments, calls, suggestions and feedback. We also want to provide more opportunities to you to share your information in the process as the design moves forward. This includes additional public meetings, as well as presentations to the Transportation Commission, Board of Public Works, and the Common Council.  The dates and times for all of these meetings will be updated on the project page.  The Transportation Commission provided some initial input at the meeting on January 12, and their recommendation was to move forward with a preliminary design that includes sidewalks.  We certainly welcome all feedback on the project, but major policy decisions, such as the installation of sidewalks, need to consider the City’s adopted plans and policies along with the recommendations of the City’s committees.

Survey

Lake Mendota Drive Electronic Survey No. 1 results

City Process, Meetings

Transportation Commission: 1/12/22 – as a key decision making body on these types of projects, initial input from the Commission was received at this meeting Transportation Commission: 3/9/22 – Commission received comments from the public and provided input on the project
Board of Public Works: 4/6/22 - present proposed base street design for LMD (approving geometrics) - approved, with a recommendation to TC to consider sidewalks on one side between Norman and Capital
Transportation Commission: 4/13/22 - present proposed base street design for LMD (approving geometrics) - approved, with sidewalks on both sides between Norman and Capital
Common Council: 4/19/22 - approving geometrics - approved, with sidewalks on both sides between Norman and Capital
Board of Public Works: 5/11/22 - public hearing on 2022 project only, approved
Common Council: 5/24/22 - public hearing on 2022 project only, approved
Board of Public Works: 11/2/22 - public hearing on 2023 project only
Common Council: 11/22/22 - public hearing on 2023 project only

Mailings

2022 Start Work Letter and Fact Sheet
2023 Board of Public Works Notice Mailing: Cover LetterFact Sheet, Survey, Public Hearing Notice
2023 Common Council Notice Mailing: Cover Letter, Public Hearing Notice
2023 Construction Start Notice: Cover Letter, Fact Sheet
2023 Notice to Property Owners within 100 Feet of 5013 Lake Mendota Drive
2023 Notice to Property Owners within 100 Feet of 5127 Lake Mendota Drive
2023 Notice to Property Owners:  Post Construction Information - Terrace Area Restoration