Phase 3 + 4
Phasing Update
Downtown Crossing Phase 3 was originally planned to include construction of a bridge connecting Temple Street to Congress Avenue. To reduce traffic impacts and address funding issues, Downtown Crossing will now have four phases:
- Phase 3 will prepare the area for the construction of the bridge that will occur in Phase 4.
- Phase 4 will include the construction of a bridge that will connect Temple Street to Congress Avenue via a bridge that will include bicyclist and pedestrian amenities.
INTRODUCTION: Phase 3
Downtown Crossing Phase 3* will begin the process of reconnecting Temple Street to Congress Avenue with pedestrian and bicycle-friendly streetscapes. Construction for Phase 3 will begin in May and last through the end of 2022.
Phase 3 will free previously unusable land for private economic development–the construction of 101 College Street: 500,000+ square feet of lab, research, and meeting space in support of New Haven’s burgeoning bioscience economy. This private development will expand the City’s tax base, add over 800 direct, well-paying bioscience jobs as well as spur approximately 7,000 additional jobs to the local economy, and further establish New Haven as a top bioscience hub.
Combined with Phase 1 (College Street, completed in 2016) and Phase 2 (Orange Street, opening this summer), the Temple Street connection to Congress Avenue will restore the urban street grid connections between the Hill, Downtown, the Medical District, and Union Station for pedestrians, bicyclists, and slower speed motor vehicle traffic.
The City of New Haven’s Downtown Crossing team has worked to develop plans to reduce traffic congestion to the extent possible and will continue to do so throughout Phase 3 construction. Immediately below, please find an overview of Phase 3 construction. Further down in this newsletter you will find more detailed information.
Downtown Crossing Phase 4
The Phase 4 construction schedule is not finalized but may occur from 2024 through 2026. Phase 4 will include the construction of the bridge connecting Temple Street to Congress Avenue. The bridge will be designed to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists as well as slower speed motor vehicle traffic.
Rendering: General design of Phase 4 bridge connecting Temple Street to Congress Avenue