Madison students taking part on Wednesday in a national walkout for gun control could cause some traffic tie-ups on the East Side, near the UW-Madison campus and on Capitol Square.
East Washington Avenue and Library Mall/State Street are expected to be filled with hundreds of students marching to the State Capitol for a noon rally, so drivers might need to make other travel plans.
Madison School District students from other high schools and middle schools will be assembling at East High School, 2222 E. Washington Ave., around 11 a.m. and start marching to the Capitol at noon.
"Due to the large expected crowd size, multiple lanes of westbound East Washington Avenue will likely need to be closed," said Tom Mohr of the Madison Traffic Engineering Division.
"Severe westbound traffic impacts are expected from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.," Mohr said. "Drivers should use alternate routes at that time."
UW-Madison students are planning a rally at Library Mall, 800 State Street, then walk up State Street to the Capitol at noon.
Traffic delays on Gorham and West Johnson Streets are expected.
Depending on the size of the crowd, the streets making up Capitol Square, Pinckney, Carroll, Mifflin and Main Streets, might need to be closed during the rally.
If they close, Capitol Square streets should reopen by 3 p.m., Mohr said.