Starting Wednesday, getting on and off the highway from downtown New Haven will require a few new moves this winter.
That because of some lane changes and a ramp closing around the last vestige of the former Route 34 mini-highway-to-nowhere, which is becoming an “urban boulevard” as part of the “Downtown Crossing” project reconnecting downtown and the Hill. (Read more about the project here.)
Following is a press release describing the changes:
As progress on Phase 2 of Downtown Crossing continues, the City of New Haven is announcing traffic pattern changes that will have minor impacts for commuters who enter or exit the downtown New Haven area through the former Route 34 corridor. While minor, these impacts will be the most significant since Phase 2 construction began in the spring.
The changes are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, and last throughout the winter. The impacts, outlined below, can be referenced by number on the graphic included at the end of the press release.
South Frontage Road Entrance Ramp to Outbound Service Drive Closes
The South Frontage Road entrance ramp (just east of the College Street intersection) onto the outbound service drive leading to I‑91 and I‑95 access will be permanently closed. Motorists can access the I‑91 and I‑95 entrance ramps just half a mile east on South Frontage Road at South Orange Street. This closure is part of the dismantling of the former Route 34 highway and transition to urban boulevards.
Additional Lane Added on South Frontage Road
In order to accommodate increased traffic traveling on South Frontage Road to the Orange Street I‑91/I‑95 entrance ramp, an additional lane will be added. This will increase the total lanes on South Frontage Road between College and Orange Streets, from two to three. The third lane is being added to accommodate the increased traffic traveling along South Frontage Road to access the highway at South Orange Street.
Traffic Shift & Two-Way Traffic on Service Drives
A large portion of the outbound service drive will be closed for winter construction. As a result, the inbound service drive will become a two-way road carrying both inbound and outbound traffic. There will be one lane in each direction. This will impact those commuters who utilize the service drives to and from the tunnels to access parking under 100 College Street and the Air Rights Garage.
The entrance and exit tunnels to the 100 College Street Garage will remain fully operational. Just outside the entrance and exit tunnels inbound and outbound traffic will remain separated. See the graphic below for reference.
Signage will alert drivers to these changes. Drivers are asked to pay attention to road signage, slow down, and stay safe.
Individuals can stay informed about upcoming construction and potential commuter impacts by signing up to receive the latest Downtown Crossing construction news here.
For more information about the project, including alternate driving routes into downtown New Haven and public transit options, visit the Downtown Crossing website .
City of New Haven
What Orange-MLK eventually look like.
This is a nightmare ... at DAY ONE ... ALL DAY. Traffic that normally would have filtered from Frontage Road, Park Street, and York to enter at the College Street entrance must now travel down to the Church Street entrance to get onto 91S, 95N or 95S!!! And if you Live in the Hill are trying to come down Washington Av past the hospital to get over to Church Street to get downtown ... forget about it. Because the 3 lanes of backed up traffic trying to get onto one of the 3 highways WILL NOT let you in, let alone cross over 3 lanes in less than 1 block to turn left onto Church! I
Would encourage whomever determined that there would be little impact to traffic to actually drive this route ... between 7:30am and 6:00pm!!! IT IS HORRENDOUS!!!