A project that is set to fix major draining issues on the Town Green, reconstruct Main Street and include significant upgrades to sidewalks and lighting is set to begin this spring, and will result to some changes to town events and business access this summer.
Town departments have been planning for this for some time, as it will impact traffic patterns and local businesses. This years Branford Festival will be moved to Hammer Field, along with the various concert series.
The town center was last upgraded during the Judy Gott administration, over 30 years ago, and is overdue. Abandoned trolley tracks, sewer and utility cuts in the road and drainage issues need to be addressed, and will result in the full reconstruction of roads (as opposed to simple paving, this literally removes the road down to the dirt and reconstructs them.) The project will address drainage issues on the town green, and include new streetscape features, including sidewalks, lighting, and benches.
The project will also address the problematic intersection of Town Hall Drive and Main Street, with the end result changing the one way direction of Town Hall drive. When complete, the new entrance will now be via Montowese Street.
The funding for the project is coming largely from state’s Local Transit Capital Improvement Program. The town is taking advantage of the program as the state will fund the construction of approximately 12 million dollars; the town is funding the development costs.
The project initially began as a way to manage the stormwater runoff and water retention on the Green and local streets. But when the town realized the state would fund construction, Branford took a closer look at addressing issues that had not been touched in over 30 years.
Looking to address water issue, traffic sightlines and uneven sidewalks, the towns grant application states that “The Town proposes to tackle all of these issues by regrading the Green to allow for better runoff. Catch basins and a stormwater retention system will be installed to capture the water for potential reuse…The brick paver sidewalks will be reconstructed with pavers being set in concrete to increase the durability and prevent any tripping hazards. Additional brick paver sidewalks will be installed along the Green to allow for safer pedestrian movement. Pedestrian lighting and a raised crosswalk will be installed to allow for better pedestrian visibility. Town Hall Dr. will be repaved and restriped and granite curbing will be installed along the Green to prevent vehicles from parking on top of the grass.”
The project is expected to begin in the spring of this year, and last approximately 240 working days, seeing a completion around spring of 2026.
First selectman Jamie Cosgrove and Economic Development Coordinator Perry Maresca have been meeting with local businesses to prepare for various stages of the project, and working to they remain accessible as the project progresses. The town has also done significant outreach in the last year, holding multiple public hearings, setting up information booth at last years Jazz on the Green concerts, and meeting with many town Boards and Commissions.
The Parks and Recreation Commission has reviewed a plan to move the Branford Festival to Hammer Field, and additional adjustments are being made to the Concert series and start of the annual Father Day Road Race.
While the project will mean a level of inconvenience, town officials are doing their best to inform local businesses and residents to prepare for the much-needed project.
“Your patience is needed and appreciated,” posted the towns Engineering Department. “Major improvements have not been made to the center of town in over 30 years, and the sheer scope of work must be recognized. Upon the completion of these projects the Town Center will once again be revitalized for decades to come.”
We will have regular updates on the project on this site. For additional information, visit the town website page for the project for details and construction drawings.
The intersection of Town Hall drive, a longtime issue, will be redone, with the new entrance now being off Montowese Street.