WALKING AUDIT AND CITIZEN DRIVEN DESIGN WORKSHOP PLANNED FOR "COMPLETE STREETS" STUDY OF THE HILL NEIGHBORHOOD

(3/12/2009) NEW HAVEN—New Haven residents are invited to a Walking Tour and a Hands-on Workshop to discuss the future of the streets in The Hill Neighborhood.

Participants will learn how the “Complete Streets” movement provides safe and convenient user access and more choice in transportation modes, and how it has become a major tool for planning to improve communities. This new program rethinks the physical design of streets to make New Haven more livable and appealing to all residents.

Meeting locations and times:

Walking Audit of The Hill Neighborhood

Monday, March 30, 2009

12:30 – 4:00 PM

Location: Wilson Branch Library

303 Washington Avenue, New Haven, CT

Citizen Design Table Workshop

Monday, March 30, 2009

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Location: Wilson Branch Library

303 Washington Avenue, New Haven, CT

The City of New Haven believes that the streets of New Haven should be “Complete,” that is, improved to accommodate the safety and convenience of all users - including pedestrians, bicyclists, bus users, and motorists. The City also believes that the most vulnerable – children, the elderly and persons with disabilities – should be able to travel safely within the public right-of-way.

Residents are encouraged to attend this important Walking Audit and Workshop where nationally-known “Complete Streets” experts from Walkable Communities (WC) and traffic and design experts from CHA, Inc. will lead conversations about the streets of The Hill and work with residents to develop solutions for safer streets.

WC and CHA will brainstorm ideas with residents and explore strategies such as safe sidewalks and crosswalks, raised medians, traffic-calming measures, bicycle accommodations, transit support facilities, and improvements for the disabled, to improve pedestrian safety. Complete Streets also help to reduce traffic congestion by providing people with more transportation choices and encouraging healthy and active lifestyles. The ‘Study Area’ includes the following streets: Davenport Avenue, Howard Avenue, Congress Avenue, and Columbus Avenue (Route 1).

For further information on this press release or the study, please contact the City’s Transportation, Traffic and Parking Department at (203) 946-8067.

Or, call participating members of the Board of Aldermen at (203) 946-6483:

Ward 3 - Jacqueline James-Evans;

Ward 4 - Andrea Jackson-Brooks;

Ward 5 - Jorge Perez;

Ward 6 - Dolores Colón.

This study is sponsored by the City of New Haven and the Board of Aldermen with funding from the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG).

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Contact Name: Jessica Mayorga

Contact Email: jmayorga@newhavenct.net

Contact Phone: 203-946-7660