KS Engineers, P.C. (KSE), serving as the Prime Consultant, provided comprehensive engineering design and construction management services for Phase 3 of the Downtown Crossing Program in New Haven, Connecticut. KSE was responsible for Semi-Final Design, Final Design, preparation of Release for Construction drawings, and post-design construction support. The firm’s multidisciplinary services included roadway design, traffic engineering, geometric design, roadway typical sections, plans, profiles, cross-sections, traffic signal design, signing and pavement markings, illumination, roadway demolition, curb layout, intersection grading, roadside safety features, tree protection, and ADA-compliant pedestrian facilities. Following completion of design, KSE also provided Construction Management services, including responses to Requests for Information (RFIs), shop drawing reviews, contractor support, and evaluation of Requests for Change throughout construction.
The Downtown Crossing Program was conceived to remove the obsolete Route 34 expressway, originally constructed in the 1950s, and reconnect the Downtown and Hill neighborhoods that had been divided for decades. The program represented one of Connecticut’s most transformative urban redevelopment initiatives, replacing aging highway infrastructure with a connected street network designed to improve mobility, promote economic development, and create a vibrant gateway to the New Haven Medical District. By restoring local streets and enhancing multimodal transportation options, the program positioned the City for future residential, commercial, and institutional growth while strengthening neighborhood connectivity.
Phase 3 focused on reconstruction of South Frontage Road between College Street and Church Street, establishing the critical roadway network needed to support the program’s final phase. The project included major horizontal and vertical roadway realignments, reconstruction of the mid-block intersection at Congress Avenue, and significant modifications to the parallel service drives located north of South Frontage Road. These improvements enhanced traffic operations while creating a safer and more intuitive roadway system for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.
A key feature of KSE’s design was the incorporation of modern Complete Streets principles. The project included a separated bicycle lane facility, numerous ADA-compliant crosswalks and pedestrian refuge islands, interconnected vehicle and pedestrian traffic signals linked directly to the City’s Traffic Operations Center, expanded street lighting, reconstruction of two major parking lots, and upgraded roadside safety systems. Together, these improvements significantly enhanced accessibility, safety, and the overall public realm while supporting sustainable transportation throughout the corridor.
Throughout the 20-week construction period, KSE worked closely with the City, contractors, utility companies, and stakeholders to resolve field issues efficiently and maintain project progress. The successful completion of Phase 3 established the infrastructure necessary for the final stage of the Downtown Crossing Program while advancing the City’s long-term vision of reconnecting neighborhoods and creating a safer, more accessible, and economically vibrant urban environment.
The project’s innovative urban design, engineering excellence, and transformative impact on the City of New Haven were recognized with the American Council of Engineering Companies of Connecticut (ACEC CT) Award for Engineering Excellence.
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