Preferred option for downtown Norwich traffic: make major roads two-way

Norwich ― A group of planners studying ways to transform the downtown and waterfront traffic pattern recommends converting two major bridges and nearby Water Street to two-way traffic, along with other changes.

Planners working on the Chelsea Harbor/Downtown Norwich Mobility Study presented their recommendations to the City Council on Monday. The study was funded through a $212,500 grant from the state Department of Transportation.

The recommendation rejected for now two more dramatic options of closing either of the Route 82 bridges that span the Yantic River near Norwich Harbor and the Marina at American Wharf and Thayer’s Marine. Each bridge would have sidewalks and bike lanes, along with one lane of traffic in each direction.

James Butler, senior advisor for the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, and overseeing the study by VHB Consultants, said city leaders may want to consider the pedestrian bridge option for the bridge closest to the marina in the future, but he said the concept for a larger Westside Boulevard pedestrian bridge could be considered a “dream” project.

Butler said he believes the plan accomplishes the goal of transforming the downtown traffic pattern from its current freeway-style of multi-lane one-way streets to more pedestrian-friendly urban streets.

The plan for two-way traffic bridges includes three roundabouts, two on Washington Street and one on the West Side that would connect West Main Street to both bridges.

The recommended option would keep a plan to convert the now three-lane, west-bound Water Street into two-way traffic and reduce Chelsea Harbor Drive for use as a two-way local access road to Howard T. Brown Memorial Park, parking lots and local businesses. It would be dead-end at Water Street.

Currently, Water Street has three lanes westbound, and Chelsea Harbor Drive has three lanes one way heading into downtown.

The plan extends into downtown, with recommendations for improved intersections, wider sidewalks and parking changes.

Daniel Amutz of VHB Engineers, said the plan includes an island split at the wide intersection of Main and Cliff streets, allowing pedestrians to cross half the distance at one time. He said it also better defines the intersection for drivers.

The plan does remove the idea of adding bicycle lanes to the Viaduct connection from Water Street and Laurel Hill Avenue to Main Street. Amutz said the Viaduct-Main Street intersection has the worst congestion downtown. The group recommended adding a right turn lane from the Viaduct onto East Main Street-Route 2 East, where most of the traffic is headed.

The plan would convert Bath Street to two-way traffic. The street now is one way from Franklin to Broadway and City Hall. Lower Broadway would remain one way from City Hall to Main Street, but with one lane and added angled parking on the left.

On the West Main Street connections, Amutz said by keeping the two bridges, there would be space to add bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both bridges. He said the plan would improve traffic access from both directions to the Norwich Transportation Center, the marina and Thayer’s Marine.

Amutz said if the city wishes, it could experiment with a pedestrian plaza on one of the bridges by temporarily closing one for a one-time event.

The schedule calls for the group to draft a final report on the chosen option in fall.

Following the presentation, Mayor Peter Nystrom said he always favored keeping both bridges open with two-way traffic.

Alderman Swaranjit Singh Khalsa expressed concern that the preferred option has two roundabouts that might require taking taxable property. Khalsa also said he liked the idea of creating a pedestrian bridge on Westside Boulevard as a “Bridge of Roses” to create a tourist attraction.

Amutz said it appears at least one property, now vacant, could be impacted. More detailed design and possible impacts to properties would be included in the final report in fall.

He added that the recommended option does not preclude the city from exploring a pedestrian bridge in the future.

c.bessette@theday.com