East Hartford projects to slow traffic
May 20—EAST HARTFORD — The town has begun work on replacement of a Main Street flood control structure, which will slow down traffic until anticipated completion in August.
The structure consists of a new concrete pad with mounting points for metal closure panels across Main Street. The public works department could install the panels during a high water event to protect residents and businesses in the area from flooding.
Traffic will be limited to one lane each for northbound and southbound traffic along Main Street for the duration of construction, which will be done during daytime hours.
Later this month, the state Department of Transportation will close the East Coast Greenway Multi-Use Trail at Willow Street on May 31 to allow reconstruction of the Willow Street bridge as part of its ongoing work on Route 2.
Pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be detoured through Riverside Drive and Ensign and Main streets. The trail is scheduled to reopen Dec. 1.
Internet project begins
SiFi Networks also broke ground on the town's fiber optic internet project Tuesday morning. Installation is expected to be complete in 2024.
LatLong Infrastructure will operate microtrenching machinery to install the lines in the ground.
Mayor Mike Walsh said Thursday morning that there are no planned road closures as a result of the fiber installation, which will consist of only two or three vehicles working slowly down each road.
"Worst-case scenario, it will look like a small work crew on the side of the road," Walsh said.
Walsh said larger roads may have a police presence to ensure a safe work environment, but most residential roads will not require police.
Joseph covers East Hartford and South Windsor. He joined the JI in July 2021. Joseph graduated from the University of Connecticut and he is an avid guitarist and coffee enthusiast.
