Joshua Hall

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is advancing its Greater Hartford Mobility Study, which is aimed at reimagining and reconnecting neighborhoods between Hartford and East Hartford.

The study was launched in 2020 as a community-driven vision for creating a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable multimodal transportation network. A final report will be released in November. Its goal is to improve the movement of people and goods, increase transportation options, accessibility, reliability, and safety, as well as accommodate future needs and emerging technologies, prioritize social equity, and minimize environmental impacts.

"Our project team has directly connected with over 10,000 individuals, both at community events and in collaboration with Voices of Women of Color," said Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. "We listened and learned from many communities that were disconnected by the existing infrastructure to identify problems and solutions. Each program component can create new connections to transform this region into one true modern metropolitan area. The study’s final report will outline the next steps CTDOT will take to mobilize early action projects and plan and design longer-term projects. We thank Governor Lamont, Connecticut’s Congressional delegation, and local officials from the Hartford region for continuing to be key partners in the vision to reconnect and reimagine our capital city for the future.”

Below is a video further explaining the plans. 

The Greater Hartford Mobility Study is organized into four major program components:

1. CityLink West: Addresses safety, reduces the number of ramps in the Study Core, and improves connectivity between neighborhoods and green spaces/parks. Lowering the highway would link neighborhoods currently severed by the highway and create additional developable land while improving rail and bus services that share the corridor.
2. CityLink East: Proposes to mitigate highway congestion in downtown Hartford by relocating the I-84/I-91 interchange and creating a new bridge connecting I-84 and Route 2 in East Hartford. This redesign would separate local and highway traffic and reclaim the historic Bulkeley Bridge for local traffic, including opportunities for dedicated high-capacity transit facilities, separated bike lanes, and improved sidewalks.
3. River Gateway: Connects Hartford’s central business district with the Connecticut River. It allows for equitable access to green space, would mitigate some of the visual and noise impacts of I-91, and creates an urban boulevard to strengthen local travel options. In addition, a new bridge would connect the Sheldon/Charter Oak neighborhood with a new, river-oriented, mid-rise neighborhood in East Hartford. The bridge would prioritize bus, bicycle, and pedestrian travel while accommodating automobile traffic.
4. Founders Gateway: Proposes to consolidate the I-84/Route 2 interchange ramps in East Hartford. It would open significant acres of land to potential development and provide opportunities to strengthen the local street grid.

Several early action projects would be implemented within the next five years for the traveling public to reap the benefits of improved mobility and safety while the four major components of the program undergo National and Connecticut Environmental Policy Act reviews.

To learn more, click HERE.