“Road Diet” to Improve Safety on Burnside Ave.

Changes are underway on Burnside Avenue thanks to a Connecticut Department of Transportation project that will make the road safer for motorists and bicycle riders. The road has seen an average of 164 accidents per year since 2013, including four fatal collisions involving a pedestrian or bicyclist. This “road diet” is designed to improve safety along the corridor by reducing the existing four-lanes to a two-lane road and creating bicycle lanes and shoulders wide enough to accommodate on-street parking. The new design will provide dedicated turn lanes at key locations and six bus turnouts for CT Transit buses to allow for the smooth flow of traffic. East Hartford Public Works staff will install bus shelters at the turnout locations to enhance the experience for transit riders.

To date, the contractor has replaced deteriorated sections of driveways, curbs and sidewalks and paved a portion of the roadway. The work will continue with additional milling and paving in July. The DOT expects the project to be complete by the end of August.

DOT Information Flyers:

Bike Lane Info for Drivers
 

Bike Lane Info for Cyclists


Bike Lane Info for Police

For many residents, bike lanes are unfamiliar territory. For that reason, CT DOT created an informational website. Residents may visit the site for project updates and information on driving and bicycling with the new bike lanes, including a series of free adult and youth bicycle safety courses in August. Printed informational brochures on bike lanes are available at various locations throughout Town, including Town Hall at 740 Main Street and Public Works at 61 Ecology Drive.

For questions about the project or to register for a free bike safety course, call Ms. Bridget Boucaud at (203) 234-7862 or email bboucaud@vnengineers.com .