MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – East Washington Avenue is back open after it was closed just before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday because of protesters, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
The agency reported East Washington Avenue was closed in both directions between Baldwin and Dickinson streets at 11:17 p.m. Tuesday.
WMTV crews in downtown Madison overnight reported seeing squad cars lined up along East Washington Avenue around 1 a.m. The Madison Police Department confirmed officers had squad cars parked on the road to block it because trash was dumped in the roadway.
As of 1:44 a.m. Wednesday, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation said the road had been reopened in both directions.
This closure and reopening of East Washington Avenue comes after protesters returned to the Williamson and South Baldwin streets intersection Tuesday. Demonstrators returned just hours after Madison Police Department and city crews dismantled the encampment and memorial that had been set up for Corey Ruiz.
Throughout Tuesday afternoon and evening, traffic was able to make it through the newly reopened intersection intermittently before demonstrators returned, blocking traffic. A faceoff with police followed after officers ordered the crowd out of the roadway.
MPD said 16 people were booked into the Dane County Jail after officers responded to the area Tuesday.
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2026 WMTV. All rights reserved.
