Change to 2-way streets in New Haven could boost retail, cut crime

(Arnold Gold — New Haven Register) Street signs direct traffic at the intersection of two one way streets, Howe Ave. and Chapel St., in New Haven on 10/20/2013. (Arnold Gold — New Haven Register) Street signs direct traffic at the intersection of two one way streets, Howe Ave. and Chapel St., in New Haven on 10/20/2013. Photo: Journal Register Co. Photo: Journal Register Co. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Change to 2-way streets in New Haven could boost retail, cut crime 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

NEW HAVEN >> The days of having to travel up and around a street after missing a turn may soon be over as the city looks to change a handful of one-way streets to allow travel in both directions.

Director of Traffic, Transportation and Parking Jim Travers said New Haven has long been studying the effects of two-way streets on economic development, livability and crime reduction in other cities. The interest in moving to two-way streets is partially in response to feedback from people who live, work and visit downtown, he said. With an increased amount of people living in the city or visiting for college, dinner, plays or work, the need for more mobility is evident.

The city is inviting residents and stakeholders to share in the planning and design of the streets during meetings known as “charrettes.”

“When we look at running transportation models we look at how we can get people to and from their destination; two-way systems breed a simpler roadway because you can find destinations better,” Travers said.

City streets were once two-way but were changed in the late 1950s to accommodate the environment of the city at the time, Travers said. Back then, the idea was to get people in and out of the city for work. But with the city focused on economic development, crime reduction and a shared space for pedestrians and bicyclists, the idea now is to keep people in the city.

“Because of how your line of sight works, as you drive you have doubled the exposure to things,” Travers said. “Cities that have done this have experienced an increase in economic development and we are certainly looking to support our businesses downtown.”

To determine what streets are eligible for the changes, the department formed an advisory team of residents and business owners from downtown. The team compiled information about the project area and used an engineering program to come up with possible alternatives that would improve the traffic flow. Information such as the number of vehicles observed on a street, street signals and the levels of average delays were taken into consideration.

While not all streets are suitable for the changes, but the advisory team came up with a number of possibilities. Church, George, Grove, Crown, Park, York and Howe streets are all being considered for lane changes. High, Dwight, Center and Orange streets pose width challenges and are too narrow to accommodate two-way traffic, Travers said. Chapel, Elm and Temple streets are not being considered right now but will be looked at separately. Chapel and Elm will be studied separately because of their effects outside of the study area, Travers said. Temple might be part of a second phase of changes once the Downtown Crossing project is completed, he added.

“While this is a standalone project and we’re focusing solely on one-way to two-way conversions, we are also looking at what the impact of this could be on potential projects — Downtown Crossing and Hill to downtown,” Travers said.

Travers said the changes to the streets will also continue to enhance the creation of a shared-space for cars, bikes and pedestrians by naturally serving as a traffic-calming measure. Additionally, where some changes might require a left-turn lane, parking spaces will have to be pushed farther from the intersection, making pedestrians at a corner more visible to a driver, and vice versa.

Kshitijh Meelu, a Yale University student, said he thinks the change “might make it harder for pedestrians walking” because they’ll have to be concerned with oncoming traffic from both directions. Overall, Meelu said he didn’t think it would be that “big of an issue” if the streets changed.

Another bonus of two-way streets touches on one of the biggest concerns of city residents — crime.

A study in West Palm Beach, Fla., showed a reduction in prostitution arrests and incidents involving drugs and narcotics after the changes. Travers said the impact comes when there is more positive activity on a street. Attracting business in an area such as Howe Street, where there is a garage with available ground-floor retail, can create a different, less-favorable environment for criminal activity.

“If we can activate that retail, we activate the street much more. Putting movement on the street reduces crime, people don’t do things in front of people that aren’t meant to be seen,” Travers said.

The charrettes to discuss the ideas begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, at New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St., with a project overview and education session. On Tuesday, two “hands on” design sessions will be open to the public — the first at 10 a.m. in the lower level of the library and the second at 6:30 p.m. at Chapel West Special Services District Office, 1205 Chapel St. On Thursday the city will update stakeholders on the progress during a 6:30 p.m. presentation in the lower level of the library.

Travers said the idea is for residents to provide feedback, ideas and ask questions. Depending on the outcome of the conversations, changes may begin taking place within about a year to three years, he said.

Additional information about the project is available on the city’s website at cityofnewhaven.com.

Call Rachel Chinapen at 203 789 5714.