Mayor Sanchez, State Officials and Federal Legislators to Announce $14.7 Million Remake East Side Intersection
Mayor Bobby Sanchez (D), joined by Governor Ned Lamont (D), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D) U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D) and U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (D-5), CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto and State Representative David DeFronzo (D-26) are set to announce a major $14.7 million federal BUILD Grant aimed at completely overhauling the intersection of East Main Street, East Street and Newington Avenue.
City officials say that the existing offset, a signalized Z-curve has been a notorious spot for local drivers and pedestrians, adding that, over the past decade alone, the intersection has been the site of 94 crashes, 12 of which resulted in evident or disabling injuries.
The newly secured federal funding, city officials say, is to create aa conventional four-leg intersection with a complete streetscape transformation designed to prioritize both traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Planned enhancements include:
- Upgraded, modernized traffic signals
- New sidewalks and high-visibility crosswalks
- ADA-accessible curb ramps
- Decorative pedestrian lighting
- The creation of two new pocket parks
Beyond immediate traffic safety, city officials emphasize that the redesign will significantly reduce daily congestion and strengthen vital community connections, adding that the new intersection alignment will provide safer, more reliable pedestrian access to the East Main Street CTfastrak station, Chamberlain Elementary School and downtown New Britain.
