Route 34 East "Downtown Crossing"

The plan calls for the elimination of Expressway Route 34 between the Air Rights Garage and Union Avenue. Instead of a grade-separated highway, traditional intersections at South Orange Street, Church street, Temple Street and College Street, all will have safe pedestrian crossings. A new street pattern is likewise established in the medical district, notably a new east-west connector between College and South Orange to complete an organizational street grid.

Phase I

In October 2010, the City of New Haven had been notified that it was one of select municipalities that had beaten out over 1000 applicants to receive a Tiger II Grant from the US Department of Transportation. The City of New Haven received an award of $16 million to help implement the first phase of Downtown Crossing. The New Haven Board of Aldermen approved the acceptance of the grant on Monday December 6, 2010 after having considered the plan and the overall costs to the City. The City would put up $6 million with another $950,000 pledged by the State. Phase 1 of the project will create two urban boulevards to slow travel speed, improving traffic safety and provide new pedestrian and bike route enhancements. Additionally, this phase of the project will construct a 400,000-square-foot medical office building, creating 2,000 construction jobs and 960 permanent jobs. This project enhances New Haven as a national leader in cutting-edge health care and medical research. Future phases will build out the remainder of Route 34 East of Air Rights Garage, converting the 1960's era highway into a livable, walkable, and transit-oriented community.

Latest Updates

June 24th, 2010 Community Presentation

Additional updates are available at: Downtown Crossing Planning.

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