Be prepared for changes to routes and parking access around Commencement Ceremony time this year.
Current Parking Options Include:
- Capitol Square North Ramp
- Capitol Square South Ramp
- Block 89 Ramp
- Wilson Street Garage
- Monona Terrace Parking Garage
John Nolan Drive Construction
John Nolan Drive is a major route into downtown Madison, and it will have several closures and reopenings from March 23 to early June. The closings and partial closings are listed below.
- March 23, 2026
- Closed: Westbound North Shore Dr.
- April 6, 2026
- Closed: Eastbound Broom St.
- Where: Between Wilson St. and John Nolen Dr.
- Closed: Eastbound Broom St.
- April 27, 2026
- Fully Closed: Broom St.
- Reopens: Westbound North Shore Dr.
- Early June 2026
- Reopens: Broom St.
- Fully Closed: Northshore Dr. (until Mid-July)
Monona Terrace Updates
Entrance and exit from the Monona Terrace Parking Garage will be closed at different times this year, from April until August. Closings and alternate routes are listed below.
- John Nolan Entrance Ramp
- Closed: April - Mid-June, 2026
- Detour: Use Wilson Street Entrance
- John Nolen Drive Exit Ramp
- Closed: June - Mid-August, 2026
- Detour: Use Wilson Street Exit
Directions to the Monona Terrace parking garage, Wilson Street Entrance:
From Hwy 151/ East Washington Avenue.
- Follow Hwy 151 (East Washington Avenue) toward the Capitol.
- Approximately ½ mile before the capitol, turn left onto Blair Street (follow signs for Hwy 151).
- After turning on to Blair Street, move to the right-hand lane.
- At the next stoplight, take a sharp right onto Wilson Street.
- Continue straight on Wilson Street for about three blocks.
- Immediately after the tall, gray, historic state office building (on the left) turn left into the Monona Terrace parking garage.
- There is a sign on Wilson Street with an arrow pointing left into the Monona Terrace parking garage.
From Interstate 90/94 and Highways 12/18.
- Take I-90/94 East to the Hwy 12 &18 West (Beltline) exit to Madison.
- Follow 12/18 West to the John Nolen Drive exit.
- There is only one way to turn onto John Nolen Drive, heading North.
- Continue on John Nolen Drive to the stoplight at the intersection of Wilson, Williamson, and Blair Streets.
- At this intersection take a left turn onto Wilson Street.
- Continue straight on Wilson Street for about three blocks.
- Immediately after the tall, gray, historic state office building (on the left) turn left into the Monona Terrace parking garage.
- There is a sign on Wilson Street with an arrow pointing left into the Monona Terrace parking garage.
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