Heavy-haul deliveries to affect Observatory Drive traffic

Deliveries of some very heavy equipment will be made next week for the West Campus Cogeneration Facility now under construction on the UW–Madison campus. Traffic on a portion of Observatory Drive will be affected.

Motorists are advised that from 7 a.m. to nightfall on Sunday, Jan. 11, the bridge over Willow Creek will be closed so that a much stronger temporary bridge can be constructed over it. No thru traffic will be allowed on Observatory Drive between Linden Drive and Walnut Street during that time. Willow Creek is located just west of the Natatorium and the School of Veterinary Medicine.

The temporary bridge, made of wide steel I-beams laid side by side and welded together, will be approximately 12 inches higher than the existing bridge. It will remain in place until Saturday, Jan. 17, when it will be removed. On that day, the roadway will be closed from 7 a.m. until the deconstruction is completed.

Facilities Planning & Management engineer Steve Harman describes the temporary bridge as a giant speed bump, and one that motorists will need to watch out for. Signs will be posted warning them to slow down as they approach and drive over the structure.

During the early-morning hours of Monday, Jan. 12, through Saturday, Jan. 17, drivers may want to avoid certain campus streets. Between 2-6 a.m. on those days, large heavy-haul vehicles will be delivering several massive pieces of equipment for the new power plant, including the 240,000-pound steam generation component.

The vehicles themselves are 120 feet long and weigh approximately 135,000 pounds. They have multiple turning components that make it easier for them to navigate corners. They take up both sides of the street and will follow a rather complex route to the power plant site because they cannot travel under bridges.

The route will include University Avenue, Lake Street between University Avenue and West Johnson Street, West Johnson and Park streets, then University Avenue, Babcock and Linden drives, and Observatory Drive from Linden to the power plant site.