Ironman Triathlon Traffic Impacts

Several streets in and around downtown will be closed for the Ironman 70.3 Wisconsin Half Triathlon on Saturday, September 12 and the Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon on Sunday, September 13. Like previous years, the races consist of swimming in Lake Monona, bicycling throughout Dane County and running in the downtown/campus area.

This is the 24th year of the event and there are a few changes this year. New this year is a limited John Nolan Drive closure. Northbound John Nolen Drive will be closed from Olin Avenue to North Shore Drive. The northbound detour will be in place during the bike portions of the Ironman races to allow Ironman bicyclists a route out of and back into town during the John Nolen Drive reconstruction project.

• The northbound John Nolen Drive causeway detour will be in effect: 
  • Saturday, September 12 from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 13 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Northbound motorists will be detoured west on Olin Avenue to Park Street.
• Southbound traffic remains open on John Nolen Drive at all times.
• Two-way traffic remains open on John Nolen Drive north of North Shore Drive.
• The left turn from South Broom Street to northbound John Nolen Drive will remain open throughout the weekend.
• John Nolen Drive will be fully open at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, in advance of heavy inbound traffic for the UW football game at 6:30 p.m.

Other traffic impacts are limited on Saturday. The following downtown streets will be impacted on Saturday starting at 6:00 a.m.:

• Wilson Street will be closed between the Hilton Hotel and South Carroll Street (runners will come from Monona Terrace and cross West Wilson Street at South Carroll Street). Access to the Madison Parking Utility Wilson Street Garage will remain open.
• West Doty Street will remain open to one lane only between North Carroll Street and MLK Jr. Boulevard (runners will use the right lane).

On Sunday, the race starts at 7:00 a.m. at Law Park with the swim start. City of Madison road closures for the bicycling portion will be minimal. Road closures for the run portion will have significant impact downtown and last from 11:00 a.m. until approximately midnight. Police will maintain local access across the route only when possible, during gaps in the runners/bicyclists. Thru-traffic driving across the route will not be permitted. All Metro Transit routes will experience significant detouring downtown. Please expect delays.

Metro Transit detours are available at this link.

Ironman course maps are available at the following links: Saturday and Sunday.