A big thank you to Yale University for their $150,000 contribution to this project!

Currently, there is tree removal occurring for the Whitney Audubon Complete Streets Project. The layout of sidewalks is being altered as part of the process and a new curb line is being designed. As a result, existing street trees are being removed to accommodate these new changes, which will incorporate street trees along the new curb line.

Will Audubon Street be inaccessible for any period of time during this project?

For the remainder of the week, work will be focused on the sidewalk & drainage on the west side of the intersection, on Whitney Ave. Addtionally, Whitney Ave has been reduced to one lane. Traffic through this intersection will move slower as a result. We ask that everyone traveling through this intersection use caution. Thank you. Regarding the question about Audubon St, I will inquire and follow up.

Thank you.. please notify 95 Audubon St/Audubon Court if the parking garage access will be affected (as well as the Audubon Arts complex and garage, etc…)

So,it looks like not only Audubon Street will be blocked for periods of time, but workers informed me they also will be closing Whitney at times. Workers say that it is ok for people that need to use the garages on Audubon, since Audubon is two way??!
How are residents and users of the area going to be informed of these street closings and legal alternate routes??

Can you give us a timeline as to how long Audubon Street will be closed to traffic?
A periodic update would be helpful for families, employees as well as guests to the businesses, schools, agencies and homes on Audubon Street.
Looking forward to your reply

Can you give us an update on how long automobile access to Audubon Street will be restricted?
a periodic update would help in planning trips into and leaving work as well as for our guests.
Looking forward to your reply.

We are passing out a second flyer for an update to the construction. Please see attached photo(if it goes through)

second photo

Thanks for the heads up.

Attention CTTRANSIT J-Whitney (northbound) and Commuter Connection Customers -- temporary detour starting July 21

Beginning Monday July 21st at 4:00 pm through Friday July 25th at 4:00pm, due to construction for roadway improvements, Whitney Avenue at Audubon will be closed to traffic.

The CTTRANSIT bus stops temporarily affected by this detour will be:

--Church at Grove Street: Passengers should board at Church at Elm

--Whitney and Audubon: Passengers should board at Whitney and Trumbull

I can't tell from these maps if access to the Audubon entrance of the Audubon Court condos/55 Whitney parking garage will be blocked or whether access is via Whitney or Audubon Streeet (wrong way) . How are these flyers going out?
Also, if Audubon Street is going to be made two way, need better signs on Orange...
And maybe restrict metered parking during this time to make room for two way traffic?

How will pedestrian traffic be affected during this time - July 21-25?

Is the information about the detour posted anywhere on the City's website or the Town Green's website? I'd like to spread the word.

You can just share this link: https://en-us.seeclickfix.com/issues/1129626

For the construction impacts from July 21st to July 25th, Local access to garages will be available for vehicles. At the intersection, there will be no thru access for vehicles. Access to Audubon Court will be from Orange St only. Pedestrian access will not be impeded through the intersection of Whitney Ave and Audubon St. Police officers will be present to assist pedestrians and for traffic enforcement. Crossing guards will be present to support pedestrians at crosswalks. There will also be a patrol enforcement officer to enforce no parking in the area around the construction project. An updated notice of construction impacts is provided.

Notice for vehicular use of Audubon St for local access only

Here's a link to an article about this project in the NHI, where you have the option to download the pdf.
http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/avoid_audubon_whitney/

I hear its completed. Got some photos?

They did a great job! Not quite like the drawing, not raised.. Some drivers not really slowing down, though... pedestrians jaywalk crossing at other spots on Whitney & Audubon not much help either! It's new, so it will take some getting used to.

Thanks Richard! Looks nice.

I agree that it's not as raised as I thought it would be, but I think it's also not complete yet... there should be flashing lights coming soon, can TT&P confirm?

That's it? really? For $200,000. They could have just stuck some bollards in an thrown some paint down. I haven't noticed anyone slowing down. Also, how long does anyone think that pathetic little tree is going to live, planted in compacted dirt, surrounded by super hot pavement, and covered with mounds of salty snow and ice this winter (if the plows don't knock it over first)?

Why are the crosswalk areas not raised? The walkers have always crossed in these spots, so the big change needs to be a way to alert drivers to pedestrian crossing! How about some signs that say "stop for pedestrians in crosswalk" or "crosswalk ahead"? Flashing lights or glow in the dark white paint outlining the raised crosswalks? The new tree will only block the sight line for pedestrians and driversas it continues to grow.

The original drawings showed the crosswalks as raised and that there would be signals of some sort. Neither seem to be the case. Traffic doesn't seem to have been slowed at all, but the pretty new colorful crosswalks invite pedestrians to use them and apparently give a false sense of security. I saw a couple of people yesterday just step into the crosswalk and start walking without looking for traffic first. Crazy.

I don't see how that HELPS a pedestrians get across the street???

What a waste of money.

The original drawings also show only 1 tree (planted on the left side)after all pedestrian crossings, so as not to obstruct the view from cars or people waiting to cross.

Everyone involved in this process was intending to install a raised pedestrian crossing at this intersection, however, the following explanation outlines the reasons why this was not possible.

The original design provided a 10 foot long approach ramp from the south with a rise of 3-inches. This translated into a slope of 2.5 in the upward direction. During the installation of the drainage south of the intersection and east and west of the intersection, existing AT&T local line ducts were uncovered above the existing concrete encased AT&T long line duct bank. The local ducts were an unknown, in addition the AT&T long line duct bank also was higher vertically in the easterly gutter line as you headed to the south away from the intersection .

The location of these ducts required a vertical adjustment of the gutter and profile grades in order to provide adequate cover over the ducts, and the installation of the pavement structure. This adjustment was also necessary to maintain positive drainage to the gutter lines to avoid ponding and pavement icing during the winter and avoid any water entering the buildings along the westerly sidewalk area. The drainage structure south of the intersection in the west gutter line needed to be shifted to the south to avoid a UI duct bank and make the necessary connections. This adjustment was further necessary to avoid an insulated pipe located below the UI duct bank, another unknown. The grades were raised as much as possible along the easterly side by adding an additional step to an entrance way. Any greater increase in the elevation would have resulted in negatively pitched sidewalks creating drainage issues at entrance ways to buildings.

The end result was a more flat approach grade to the intersection from the south. The installation of honeycomb thermoplastic pavement and shark tooth markings will provide the indication that a ramp is present. In addition we intend to add a set of approach ladder markings to the north bound lanes.

The Transportation, Traffic and Parking Department will continue to monitor this issue and answer any questions regarding the construction process.

Thank you,
Doug Hausladen, Director

Makes sense, thanks Doug.

Trees are now planted on all 4 corners of the crosswalk. The trees on the 2 corners before the crosswalk block the view of pedestrians waiting to use the crosswalk because the corners are bumped out. Can these be removed and moved to a location away from the sightline? Pedestrian safety should be the priority here!

I reviewed the location of the tree plantings and specifically the southeast corner and the northwest corner. The placement does not interfere with the northbound vehicle approach site lines to the pedestrian refuge areas nor the handicapped ramp locations . Once the final signing and flashing beacon installations are complete we will review the placement to determine if sight line obstructions exist and address any additional concerns at that time.

Other photo

east side

The Complete Streets Project has been completed for some time now. We left it open for a period of time to allow for additional comments but since there has been no activity since August, we are closing the issue. Thank you to everyone involved in this project, including those whose voices brought this issue to the attention of the city.

Thanks for fixing this issue!

Thanks for fixing this issue!

Thanks for fixing this issue!

Thanks for fixing this issue!

Thanks for fixing this issue!

Thanks for fixing this issue!

Awesome work! Looks great.

Thanks for fixing this issue!