Construction & Roadway Projects

The Town maintains 217 miles of roadways and averages 8.5 miles of paving each year including reconstruction and repaving projects.  In 2024, we resurfaced just over 9 miles of roads. 

The Engineering Division annually performs visual pavement condition assessments at the end of each year. The following link shows the 2024 Pavement Condition Map. This map displays the pavement conditions by colors for either Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor, or Extremely Poor. In 2024, 17 miles of roadways were rated in Extremely Poor condition, while 34 miles of roadways were rated in Poor condition.

Each year, the Town focuses its paving resources toward the Extremely Poor roadways. As part of the repaving effort, the Engineering Division meets with the utility companies to review its tentative list of roadways to be repaved.

The following roadways were reconstructed in 2024: 

• St. Augustine Street
• Highland Street
• Warwick Street (Trout Brook Drive to Robin Road)
• Pleasant Street 

Roadway reconstructions are more complicated than re-paving and therefore take longer to complete, about one to two months. The work generally includes the replacement of existing curb with granite curb, the replacement of existing driveway aprons with concrete aprons, selective sidewalk and drainage structure replacement, re-establishment of the roadway base material, and paving.

Click on West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan for more information.

The Town has completed the Trout Brook Trail as initially envisioned between New Park Avenue and  Asylum Avenue.  This multi-use trail is predominantly off the road, up to 10' wide, and paved for use by non-motorized users including bicyclists and pedestrians.  End-to-end, Trout Brook Trail stretches nearly 4 miles. 

Phase 3  -  Park Road to Jackson Avenue
This trail section is  now substantially complete and open to the public as of October 2024. Portions of the trail may be closed temporarily as contractors complete minor construction items. Trail users should obey all signs and closures.  

Future extensions to Trout Brook Trail are being considered and will be listed here as they become viable projects.  Please see the Overall Project Plan.

The Fern Street Bridge over Trout Brook is located adjacent to Fernridge Park.  Originally constructed in 1939, the structure is in need of replacement.  Demolition of the existing bridge and construction of the new bridge will start in 2025. Traffic will be maintained throughout the project with an alternating one-lane configuration. 

The intersection of Mountain Road and Albany Avenue is heavily congested and experiences excessive vehicular delays. The proposed improvements will reduce the Mountain Road queues and better accommodate motorists and bicyclists. The project will focus on the Mountain Road approaches, where the roadway will be widened to provide a left turn lane, thru lane, and a shared thru/right lane in each direction. The project will also include: traffic signal replacement, sidewalk repairs, bicycle lanes, and an extension of the culvert under Mountain Road serving Mountain Farms Brook. The project is being designed and utility coordination work is ongoing. The project is expected to be under construction in 2025.

In 2017, the Town completed a Complete Streets Study for the New Park Avenue Transit Area and obtained two State of Connecticut grants to fund the recommended improvements. The project will enhance New Park Avenue for all users between New Britain Avenue and Oakwood Avenue. Project elements include: decorative streetlights, a two-way separated bicycle facility, a shared multi-use side path,  landscaped medians, street trees, enhanced mid-block crosswalks, and traffic signal improvements. In between major intersections, the roadway will be resurfaced and reduced from four travel lanes to three: one travel lane in each direction and a center two-way left turn lane. Design is ongoing, with an expected construction start of 2025. The approximate construction cost is $6 million, grant funding ($3.7 million) and matching Town funds ($2.3 million).

The Engineering Division hosted a public information meeting to discuss the semi-final design on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.  A recording of the meeting can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV-xOMBAMiE.

Additionally, a public handout from the meeting can be accessed here and the presentation can be accessed here. 

For more information, visit the project Facebook page below or e-mail the project team at NewParkAvenue@westhartfordct.gov. 

CTDOT Projects

• CTDOT 155-176 Intersection Improvements at Albany Ave. (US-44) and North Main St. (CT-218) - The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has begun design of the Albany Avenue (US-44) and North Main Street (CT-218) intersection, which will provide pedestrian and vehicle safety and operational improvements. The current estimated project cost is $7.8 million. Design is ongoing and construction is anticipated for 2027. CTDOT held a virtual public meeting on July 13, 2023 to discuss the project. The recording is posted to this link.  A second public meeting was held Tuesday, October 22, 2024.  A recording is posted here.  
  
  Please see the official project website for the proposed plan and additional project information.

MDC Projects

• Implementation of Remaining SSES Recommendations in West Hartford Sewershed (Contract 2024B-19) The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) has begun construction of a widespread sanitary sewer improvement project in town. Work on affected streets will include: camera inspections and cleaning of sanitary sewers; the lining of sanitary sewer pipes (mains and laterals); and the repair of isolated damaged pipes and manholes. Laterals (or house connections) are the pipes that connect each home and business to the sewer main in the street. A presentation further explaining the project can be found here. 
  
  MDC will reach out to individual properties eligible for lining of their house connection, click here for more information on this portion of the project. MDC reminds residents to be alert for imposters trying to gain access to their home posing as utility workers. Click here for MDC’s tips and information about preventing unauthorized access to your home or business.
  
  More information about pipe lining and the odors it can cause can be found by clicking here. 
  
  Please see the project map to see which streets and neighborhoods are affected. Work is expected to continue through January 2027. Residents and business owners with questions or concerns about the project should direct them to the MDC Outreach Liaison, Angel Morales (amorales@themdc.com or 860-278-7850 x3331).