Hospital Hill Village District Safety Enhancement Project

Services:
- Municipal Project
- Safety Improvements
- Agency Coordination
- Public Engagement
Relevance:
- Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
- ADA Curb Ramps
- Community Connectivity
Key Personnel:
- William Murphy, P.E.
Construction Value:
- $800,000

Project Overview

Role: Prime Consultant

M&J Engineering (M&J) provided survey, civil engineering, and landscape architecture services for the Hospital Hill Village safety improvements project at the intersections of Stuart Avenue, Stevens Street, and Magnolia Avenue in Norwalk. This critical project aimed to normalize two problematic intersections and addressed several existing and perceived safety issues. The traffic circle at Stuart Avenue and Stevens Street, as well as Magnolia Avenue, created significant confusion for motorists and lacked sidewalks and crossings, making pedestrian connections unsafe and inaccessible.

The project reconfigured problematic parking north of Stevens Street, supporting economic development by creating a designated public parking lot with off-street spaces, including at least one dedicated handicap space. This reconfiguration facilitated easier Norwalk Transit bus movements, eliminated unconventional turns around the improper traffic circle, and provided a direct route on and off Stuart Avenue. Placemaking elements such as landscaping, street trees, green infrastructure, and pedestrian-level lighting created a gateway to the neighborhood, supporting local businesses, restaurants, and outdoor dining. Enhanced safety features were a major focus of the project, emphasizing the needs of pedestrians and cyclists while accommodating vehicular traffic and public transportation. These features included widened sidewalks, pedestrian-level lighting, raised crosswalks, Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons, and ADA curb ramps.

Additional amenities such as bike racks, outdoor seating, rain gardens, plant beds, and native trees made the area more inviting and accessible, enhancing the character of the downtown area. M&J’s responsibilities included conducting a field review of existing conditions, collecting survey data around the project limits, and conducting a stakeholder/community public meeting. They also reviewed and modified the existing concept plan based on community feedback, including cost estimates, and submitted final (90%) engineering design plans, followed by a 100% design submission encompassing plans, specifications, and cost estimates.

The project deliverables also covered the design of pedestrian lighting, concrete sidewalks and aprons, parking, landscaping amenities, curb extensions, and drainage improvements, along with a comprehensive traffic analysis to improve the layout, including new traffic signage, Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons, raised crosswalks, on-street and off-street parking, and new pavement markings. The overarching goal was to ensure safe access to local businesses and create an inviting space that encouraged more activity around the project area.

VIEW CONSTRUCTION PLAN

Client Contact

James Travers, Director Transportation, Mobility, and Parking
(203) 854-7736
jtravers@norwalkct.gov

Hospital Hill Village District Safety Enhancement Project

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