Construction of Multi-Use Trail to Begin in February
(January 27, 2016) East Hartford, CT– Mayor Marcia A. Leclerc announced today that construction will begin on a multi-use trail project in mid-February, which will consist of two separate portions of trail beginning at Great River Park and extending to Main Street and another portion beginning at Silver Lane at Simmons Road, which will be connected to an existing trail at Forbes Street. The multi-use trail will be a ten foot wide paved trail with stone dust shoulders. The anticipated cost of construction is $2.38 million and is primarily funded by state and federal funds, with construction scheduled to be completed in November 2016.
The southwest portion of the project (Great River Park to Main Street) extends from the southern end of Great River Park, near the bridge over the Hockanum River and the stair tower to the Charter Oak Bridge, to Willow Street at Main Street. The length of this section is approximately 0.8 miles and as part of the trail construction, the intersection of Riverside Drive, Willow Street, Colt Street #2 and the Route 2 exit ramp will be reconfigured to reduce vehicle speeds and increase pedestrian safety. A bench will be installed at the overlook of the Willow Street culvert outfall.
The northeastern portion (Silver Lane at Simmons Road to Forbes Street) of the project extends from Silver Lane at Simmons Road, which is across from the entrance drive for the Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, to the existing trail at Forbes Street. This part of the trail will be approximately 1.25 miles in length and the trail will be located within the I-84 right-of-way between Simmons Road and Forbes Street with a new guide rail being installed along I-84, along with the additional fencing. A section of retaining wall will be installed along the detention basin, located behind the Charter Oak Mall. At Forbes Street, the trail will shift into the breakdown lane and then go through a new opening in the sound barrier wall on the east side of Forbes Street. The section of trail in the breakdown lane will be protected using concrete F-wall “Jersey” barrier with fence mounted on top.
Residents and motorists are advised that construction may impact traffic and delays may be experienced. More details concerning traffic impacts will be made available on the Town’s website as construction progresses.
For more information on the Multi-Use Trail project, contact the Engineering Division at 860-291-7380. Additional information concerning this project can also be found by visiting the Town’s website at: http://www.easthartfordct.gov/engineering.