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September 11, 2024

West Hartford to hold public info session on ‘complete streets’ project for New Park Avenue

Contributed An aerial view of New Park Avenue and surrounding streets in West Hartford.
By David Krechevsky

The town of West Hartford has scheduled a public information meeting next week to discuss its proposed “complete streets” improvement project for New Park Avenue.

Design is ongoing for the project, which will encompass New Park Avenue between New Britain Avenue and north of Oakwood Avenue, with construction slated to begin in 2025.

So-called “complete streets” are designed to enable “safe use and support mobility for all users,” according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. It defines all users as “people of all ages and abilities, regardless of whether they are … drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or public transportation riders.”

The town initiated a study to focus on evaluating improvement designs for infrastructure because of the recent opening of the Flatbush and Elmwood CTfastrak stations, as well as the approval of the 616-620 New Park Housing development.

According to the study, the two stations and apartment project have provided the New Park Avenue corridor “with a catalyst for economic growth and a unique opportunity to become a multimodal conduit between these transit centers and the rest of West Hartford.”

The study adds that the New Park Avenue corridor is “auto-centric,” with “industrial and suburban style retail uses, four lanes of vehicular traffic, no bicycle accommodations, and narrow sidewalks,” which present challenges due to the “expected influx of pedestrians and bicyclists.” 

The town has hired national design consultant VHB, which has an office in Wethersfield, to work on the project. 

The town and VHB will hold a public information meeting to explain the project and receive comments on Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Elmwood Community Center, 1106 New Britain Ave.

“Feedback from the community is an invaluable part of any project and is greatly appreciated,” Town Manager Rick Ledwith said.
 

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