Traffic tips for commencement and move-out

As thousands of UW–Madison students take part in commencement activities over the weekend of May 16-18, thousands more are moving out of their residence halls.

This year’s move to a single Saturday commencement ceremony at Camp Randall, 1440 Monroe St., means that campus traffic may resemble that of a football Saturday more than the Kohl Center congestion of years past. The ceremony will take place at noon.

A smaller ceremony for doctoral and professional students will take place on Friday, May 16 at the Kohl Center, 601 W. Dayton St., beginning at 5:30 p.m.

In addition, schools, colleges and departments will host commencement activities throughout the weekend. View a schedule of these events online.

The following tips can help campus visitors, graduates and those leaving campus move around Madison more easily.

Parking: When making commencement plans, please allow ample time to locate parking and get to the destination. For Saturday’s ceremony, visitors are encouraged to park in campus parking lots and use the shuttle bus service (in addition to shuttles that may be available through local hotels).

All campus lots will be free of charge from noon on Friday, May 16 through 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 18. Commencement parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

A limited amount of parking is available close to Camp Randall Stadium and the Kohl Center. Parking will be unavailable on Regent Street between Monroe Street and Park Street from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday to ease the flow of traffic.

Additionally, Breese Terrace and Monroe Street will restrict parking on both sides of the street from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 17.

Breese Terrace will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. Monroe Street will be closed immediately after Commencement for up to an hour.

The immediate lots near Camp Randall, Lots 18 and 19, will be unavailable for parking. Towing in these lots will be enforced from 4:30 p.m. Friday until 5 p.m. Saturday.

Shuttle service: On Saturday, May 17, a complimentary shuttle bus service will be available to transport participants and guests around campus, operating approximately every 10 minutes, from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1:15-6 p.m. The entire shuttle loop takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.

The Route 80 bus is free, and loops through campus as well. View more information about the Route 80 campus bus.

For more information on parking and other commencement-related issues, visit the commencement site online.