Better Streets Madison

People-first streets for a future Madison

Advocacy project

Redesign Stoughton Road

A once-in-a-generation opportunity to redesign this corridor so that it works for people in a future Madison.

1

The opportunity

Stoughton Road is a major corridor that shapes how Madison grows. The current redesign can set the pattern for decades — making it safer, more connected, and more useful for everyone.

2

WisDOT's three proposals

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has put forward three concepts. Of the three, the boulevard concept is the strongest starting point because it makes room for a more walkable, people-centered corridor.

View WisDOT's public involvement page
3

What's next

WisDOT is expected to hold a public information meeting in late 2026 or early 2027. We will share details here as soon as they are announced.

Why This Matters

This area currently sees high-speed traffic, difficult crossings, large intersections, and limited access.

A Corridor Designed for People

A road built only to move cars gives us what we have today. A corridor designed for people can support homes, businesses, transit, and neighborhoods that grow with Madison. Here is what that could look like.

Watercolor sketch of a transit station along a corridor with mid-rise buildings and shops
Frequent transit with buildings pulled up to the street: destinations you can reach without driving, and space that pays for itself.
Watercolor sketch of a walkable neighborhood with apartments, shopfronts, trees, and people walking and biking
Homes, shops, trees, and safe places to walk and bike, instead of frontage roads, parking, and wide crossings.
Watercolor sketch of a mix of single-family, duplex, and small apartment buildings along a tree-lined street
Gentle density adds housing choices while respecting the character of existing neighborhoods.

Illustrations are conceptual and meant to show possibilities, not final designs.
Credit: Aldred Twu / Welcoming Neighbors Network.

About Us

Better Streets Madison is a coalition of residents, community organizations, businesses, transportation advocates, and local groups working to create safer streets and stronger neighborhoods.

Coalition partners

  • 1000 Friends of Wisconsin logo
  • AARP Madison logo
  • Fairchild Development logo
  • Madison for More Neighbors logo
  • Strong Towns Madison logo
  • Wisconsin Bike Fed logo
  • LOPPW logo

Out in the Community

Community members gathered at the Stoughton Road Project Open HouseAlder Fields, Alder O'Brien, and officials address attendees at the open houseResidents review the Wide Boulevard Alternative display boardA resident points at the Comparing Access and Connections display board

Photos from the September 3rd Stoughton Road Project Open House with Alders Fields and O'Brien. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn about the redesign and share your perspective.

Open house update

Several Better Streets Madison coalition members were among the large crowd that attended the Stoughton Road Redesign Open House, hosted by Alders Derek Field and Sean O'Brien. At the meeting, city staff presented a series of helpful informational boards with a high-level overview of the redesign, and that walk community members through the details and tradeoffs involved in each option.

These materials are now publicly available! View the open house boards (PDF)

We encourage residents to take a look, and to contact WisDOT (the final decision maker in this project), to weigh in with your questions, feedback, and suggestions for improvement.

Better Streets Madison volunteers at their booth under a tent at the Glendale Neighborhood Annual FestivalCoalition volunteers with State Representative Shelia Stubbs at the Better Streets Madison boothA neighbor pointing at a model of the Stoughton Road corridor on the booth tableA volunteer explaining the corridor model to a festival attendee

We enjoyed the opportunity to meet neighbors and have great conversations at the Glendale Neighborhood Annual festival outside of Virginia Henderson Elementary School. Stay tuned for more community outreach and conversations in the future!

Links and Resources

Coverage

Background Information

Sign up for updates

Get notified when WisDOT announces the public information meeting and when there are ways to make your voice heard.

Help spread the word

The more people who know about this redesign, the stronger our voice for a people-first Stoughton Road.