Beginning Next Week, Chapel Street, Between College and York Streets Will Be Restored To Two-Way Traffic

NEW HAVEN, CT —Starting next week, Chapel Street between College and York streets will be restored to two-way traffic for vehicles, converting from its current one-way configuration and "marking a key milestone in the city's Chapel Street safety improvement efforts," according to the city.

The conversion is part of New Haven's broader efforts to improve safety, reduce speeding, and make travel along Chapel Street more accessible and predictable for all road users, it's noted in a news release.

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"We want residents and visitors to get to where they need to go as safely, easily, and efficiently as possible, and the two-way conversion of Chapel Street helps accomplish all three of these goals," Mayor Justin Elicker said. "Restoring this portion of Chapel Street to two-way traffic will help improve circulation downtown, make it easier for residents and visitors to access local businesses and destinations, and support a more accessible and connected downtown for everyone."

According to the city and transit data, Chapel Street is one of the busiest and "currently one of the most crash-prone roads in the city." It is designated as part of the City's High Injury Network, a data-driven identification of streets most in need of safety improvements.

Over time, the plan is to convert all of Chapel Street from one-way to two-way – along with other road safety improvements – making this key corridor safer for residents.

The two-way conversion will improve circulation through downtown, provide more direct access to many downtown destinations, and reduce the need to circle the block or make out-of-direction turns. The change also lays the groundwork for additional improvements planned under the broader project.

The broader Chapel Street project is supported through a combination of federal, state, and local funding. This includes an $11 million federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant supporting safety improvements along a 1.6-mile corridor along Chapel Street between State Street and Ella T. Grasso Boulevard.

What motorists can expect

Weather-permitting, beginning the week of April 20, traffic will move in both directions along Chapel Street. Drivers should follow the updated lane markings and signals while watching for pedestrians and turning vehicles. Residents are urged to pay extra attention, exercise caution, and slow down to adjust to the new and improved traffic pattern.

This phase of the two-way conversion includes new pavement markings, signage, and signal adjustments to support the new traffic pattern.

The project also includes several safety improvements:

• Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) and Pedestrian Push Buttons — features designed primarily for people with disabilities, including directional speech messages, tactile vibrating buttons, and touchless push buttons that can be activated with the wave of a hand.

• High-Visibility Crosswalks — clearly marked crosswalks to enhance pedestrian safety and visibility.

• Leading Pedestrian Interval Signals — signal timing improvements that give pedestrians a head start before vehicles receive a green light and remain active alongside traffic movements (concurrent with the direction of travel)

• Enhanced Signal Timing — including a protected green arrow for left turns, improved signal coordination, and extended walk times for pedestrians.

• Increased Enforcement — targeted enforcement of illegal parking will support the new traffic pattern and help keep travel lanes clear.

• Parking— Nearly all on-street parking between College and York Streets will remain in place. Dedicated commercial loading zones will be added to further support business deliveries.

The project is part of New Haven's Safe Streets for All initiative to make streets safer and more accessible for everyone. The program focuses on reducing traffic injuries and fatalities through safer street design, improved crossings and traffic-calming measures. Guided by the City’s Safe Routes for All Active Transportation Plan, the initiative prioritizes improvements in neighborhoods where residents face higher risks from traffic and where safer options for everyday travel are most needed.

Residents can learn more at the Chapel Street two-way conversion project and other projects at saferoutesforall.org