Phase 6 of the Park Road construction project, which began in late July, is nearly complete and the busy West Hartford road will be able to reopen to traffic.

Phase 6 detour plan. Courtesy of Town of West Hartford

By Ronni Newton

The second-to-last – and most disruptive – phase of construction on West Hartford’s Park Road is nearly complete, and town officials said that paving is scheduled to take place, weather dependent, on Aug. 22.

“Assuming everything goes to plan, Park Road is expected to be reopened to traffic by the end of next week, Aug. 23,” the town said in a news release.

Until Phase 6, which has been underway since late July, is complete, Park Road will remain closed to westbound traffic between South Quaker Lane and the I-84 ramps. Trout Brook Drive will remain closed to southbound traffic from Boulevard to Park Road, and closed to northbound traffic between White Avenue and Park Road.

Eastbound traffic on Park Road, which is temporarily traveling on the “wrong” side of the roadway, is able to proceed straight through the intersection, but cannot turn right to head south on Trout Brook Drive during Phase 6.

All detours are in place 24 hours a day, but local traffic is permitted.

According to town officials, final paving of the entire stretch of the roadway – the seventh and final phase of this two-year project – should be performed in mid-September, and will take place at night to minimize impact on traffic.

There will be minor traffic impacts and occasional lane closures as construction activity is finalized in the area, but after landscaping is installed in September and October, work will be substantially complete.

The town continues to urge motorists to expect delays, and to use caution when traveling throughout the project area.

Alternate routes to avoid the project area are suggested, and include entering and exiting I-84 at Exit 41 (South Main Street), Exit 42 (Trout Brook Drive), and Exit 44 (Prospect Avenue/Kane Street).

“Thank you to the motoring public and especially the nearby residents for your continued patience and cooperation throughout this project,” Assistant Town Engineer Greg Sommer said regarding Phase 6.

The approximately $6.8 million project is being administered by the Town of West Hartford, with construction inspection services provided by Weston and Sampson Engineers, Inc. and oversight by the Office of Construction, District 1, Rocky Hill. The project started on Sept. 19, 2017, and Paramount Construction is the primary contractor. Federal funds are providing 80 percent of the costs, and the state and town are each providing 10 percent.

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