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Construction News & Schedule for the ONE-WEEK period of Monday, September 13 - Friday, September 17, 2021

OVERVIEW: There will be no changes to the existing traffic patterns this week. Expect various single lane closures, listed in more detail below. Nighttime work will occur, details of this work are also listed below. A new date will be set for the opening of the Orange Street intersection in the coming weeks. Please see the "Soon-to-Open: Orange Street Intersection!" below for important information for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. LANE CLOSURES Throughout the one-week period of Monday, September 13 and Friday, September 17, 2021 various lane closures may occur on the following roads to accommodate construction:  Inbound & Outbound Service Drives: single lane closures on the roads that provide access to parking under 100 College Street and go on to provide access to the Air Rights Garage. State Street & Union Avenue at North Frontage Road: single lane closures near the intersection of Water Street. South Frontage Road: single lane closures may occur on SFR between York Street and South Orange Street. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard: single lane closures between Church Street and Orange Street. WORK HOURS Downtown Crossing-related work for the one-week of period of Monday, September 13 through Friday, September 17, 2021 will occur during both daytime and nighttime work hours. Daytime work hours are weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Nighttime work hours are between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Nighttime work will include: paving and installation of concrete walls in the closed area of South Frontage Road and Congress Avenue paving and lane striping on South Frontage Road, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Boulevard, Orange Street, and South Orange Street.

Soon-to-Open: Orange Street Intersection!

Navigating the Orange Street Intersection When the Orange Street intersection opens, it will create a significant change in the overall traffic pattern. Drivers will be sharing the road with pedestrians and bicyclists. Pedestrians and bicyclists will need to cross the large intersection in two phases. Pedestrians & bicyclists please note: When crossing the intersection in the north/south direction, it will take two traffic signal phases. In other words, one will need to use the 'crosswalk' button twice and pause on one of the pedestrian islands in between the first and second crosswalk phases. (Pedestrian islands are highlighted in orange in the graphics above this section.) 1st Crosswalk Phase: The first crosswalk phase will allow crossing from the sidewalk to one of the pedestrian islands. 2nd Crosswalk Phase: The second crosswalk phase will allow pedestrians and bicyclists to move from the pedestrian island to the sidewalk on the other side of the intersection. Drivers please note: Drivers exiting I91 and I95 to approach Downtown New Haven (Exit 1 from I91 South and Exit 47 from I95 North) will now come across their first traffic signal at Orange Street, much earlier than before. The new intersection and traffic signals are at a location that drivers are used to speeding past. Drivers are urged to pay attention to on-road signage, slow down, and stay safe! The speed limit on the exit ramps from both I91 and I95 is 30 MPH! Obey the speed limit. The new intersection and its traffic signals are designed for pedestrians and bicyclists, not only drivers!! Drivers should be especially cognizant that they are utilizing a shared-use road along with pedestrians and bicyclists. Drivers should pay attention to road signage and obey the speed limit to keep all road users safe. From any point in the intersection, drivers can turn right or go straight upon a green traffic signal. There are NO left-hand turns allowed for drivers from any point in the intersection.

CLOSED PORTION OF SOUTH FRONTAGE ROAD

SOUTH FRONTAGE ROAD DETOURS

Please note: On-road signage will guide drivers through the detour routes. Howard Ave., Ella Grasso Blvd., and Columbus Ave. detours are designed to keep traffic out of the construction area altogether in an effort to reduce congestion and delays. The detour immediately around the closed portion of South Frontage Road will serve those who cannot avoid the construction area.   Please pay attention to this signage, slow down, and stay safe! In addition to the signed detour, alternate route options that provide access to and from the highways and project area are available here.

Close-up: Motor Vehicle Detour Immediately Around Construction Site

SOUTH FRONTAGE ROAD MOTOR VEHICLE DETOURS

SOUTH FRONTAGE ROAD PEDESTRIAN DETOUR

SOUTH FRONTAGE ROAD BIKE DETOUR

Service Drive Shift

Other Road Mitigations Designed to Improve Traffic Flow

Portion of Columbus Avenue Permanently Reopened

Pedestrian Detour At Union Avenue Underpass

A minor pedestrian detour went into effect on Monday, March 9, 2020 and was originally expected to last until mid-May. However, this detour will now remain in place through the spring of 2021 to accommodate the installation of a public art project on the west side of the Union Avenue underpass, where Union Avenue meets North Frontage Road, State Street, and Water Street. Pedestrians will be able to access the area simply by using the sidewalk at the east side of the bridge, which is located just across the street. Below: Photo of the vicinity of the Union Avenue underpass pedestrian detour Rendering of "Lighting Your Way" be Sheila Levrant de Bretteville of Site Projects New Haven.

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