Flower Street Residents Unhappy with Pedestrian Bridge Design

During a public meeting on July 16, CTfastrak engineers said they plan to build a new overhead passageway for pedestrians and bicycle riders over the busway on Flower Street in Hartford. The plan is to have the passageway done by 2015, when the busway goes into operation. 

According to an article in the Hartford Courant, during the meeting, Transportation Commissioner James Redeker said, ""We're not changing a decision that's been made, and we're not changing the busway. We'll try to do the best job we can."

Last winter the DOT suggested a 110-foot bridge, connected by two sets of multiple switchback ramps be installed at the location. The cost of the structure would be approximately $4 million. Residents criticized the structure as too expensive and unattractive. 

During the meeting on July 16, CTfastrak engineers said they are open to other design plans, and they will try to incorporate the ideas they heard during the meeting. 
Some suggestions heard during the meeting included an elevated sidewalk rising from Capitol Ave that would gradually rise above the crossing. 

The Courant article notes, the DOT plans to permanently close off pedestrian access at Flower's railroad crossing around October 1, 2013 to clear the area for busway construction. Simultaneously, the agency expects to open a new pedestrian pathway linking Flower Street to Broad Street, which runs parallel about a block to the east. 

Bike Walk Connecticut Board Member Chris Brown was mentioned in an article posted on the CT News Junkie website. He attended and spoke at the July 16th meeting. Read the full article here.