The busy Whitney Avenue and Audubon Street intersection in New Haven is scheduled to close for five days for construction, starting on Monday.
The intersection will close from 7 a.m. on Monday until 4 p.m. Friday as crews do roadwork on the intersection to make it more pedestrian-friendly and to calm traffic on that route.
The improvements include a new crosswalk, curb extensions, intersection markings and LED lighting to enhance safety and reduce speeds to make it safer for pedestrians.
There's also an economics motive to the project, as officials hope the upgrades will also help increase foot traffic to businesses in the area.
"A walkable, bikeable community. You know the dollar churns more than a car-based culture," Doug Hausladen, New Haven's director of transportation, traffic and parking, said.
The city has posted detours to move traffic around the intersection.
"Drivers can turn right on Wall Street from Church Street, left on Orange Street, and then left on Trumbull Street to return to Whitney Avenue, according to a news release.
Local
"Alternatively, drivers can turn left at Church Street and Grove Street, proceed along Grove Street to Hillhouse Avenue, and then take a right on Trumbull Street to return to Whitney Avenue," according to a news release from Lawrence Grotheer, the city's communications director .
Local traffic will be allowed through on a southern portion of the area between Audubon and Grove streets and on the northern side between Audubon and Trumbull streets to reach Whitney Avenue destination points in the area, according to the news release.
The Connecticut Transit bus stop at Church and Grove streets will be closed during the construction.
