The first phase of the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan commenced on March 31, 2025. [Updated, April 3, 2025]

By Ronni Newton

The plan for reconstruction of West Hartford Center’s infrastructure, which was been refined after much study and deliberation over the course of the past three years, officially commenced with the removal of 36 street trees on LaSalle Road Monday evening, and by Wednesday morning a number of parking spaces were blocked off and markings were added to the pavement to indicate the location of new, wider sidewalks.

While some have noted that the stretch of LaSalle Road from Ellsworth Road to Farmington Avenue looks “naked” without the trees – with the stumps temporarily covered by barrels – the tree removal and planting of new trees, and final paving, are the only aspects of the project that are being done along the entire stretch of roadway at the same time.

The project is being done in phases, and the first phase of the project involves two segments on opposite sides and opposite ends of LaSalle Road – on the east side from Ellsworth Road to the Memorial Road Connector, and on the west side between the intersection with Farmington Avenue and Central Optica. Those segments are scheduled to be completed by June 10, with the second phase planned from June 11 through Aug. 19, and the third phase from Aug. 20 through Nov. 3.

Gerber Construction Inc. is the contractor hired to implement the Infrastructure Master Plan. The project webpage on the Town of West Hartford website will be kept updated by M&J Engineering, the town’s construction manager. The following is stated under Construction Updates: “Each phase will include a work area approximately 300-400 feet in length and will be limited to one side of the street. A maximum of two work areas will be active at any time. Construction work schedules will be coordinated closely with the Town and businesses. The reconstruction of LaSalle Road is expected to be complete in 2025. Work on Farmington Avenue is expected to be completed in 2026, but will not begin until LaSalle Road is substantially complete. No work will be permitted during the period of November 22, 2025 to January 4, 2026.”

Lynn DiGiovanni, a project manager with M&J Engineering, met with members of the West Hartford Center Business Association on Wednesday morning to answer questions about the project and address concerns about access to their businesses and parking, and even specific concerns such as vibrations from the construction triggering alarms.

Businesses in the Center are nervous about the disruption, but were assured by DiGiovanni that they will remain accessible to clients and customers, the road will remain open, and while there may be temporary sidewalk detours there will be pedestrian access on at least one side of the road at all times.

“The West Hartford Center Business Association will be keeping the public informed through social media channels, local news outlets and directly at the business level,” said Irene O’Connor, director of Public Relations for Linked Media on behalf of the West Hartford Center Business Association. “The Town of West Hartford has done a great job at keeping business owners involved throughout the planning process, offering resources and hearing our concerns as the project develops.”

The project includes new stamped concrete sidewalks that are wider and more accessible, 52 new street trees as well as shrubbery, decorative street lighting, modification of traffic signals, shortened crossing distances and raised crosswalks, retractable bollards that will facilitate easily closing off LaSalle Road to traffic, and new furniture and other amenities. There will also be increased access to the Center through the implementation of “mobility hubs” that will include bicycle parking, and e-bike and e-scooter charging.

“Efforts will also be made to minimize noise, dust, and disruption,” M&J said.

The 52 new trees will be planted utilizing soil cells, described by M&J Engineering as “innovative structures designed to enhance urban tree growth and stormwater management. They provide a solution to the challenges of soil compaction and limited soil volume in urban environments.” The soil cells are designed to promote healthy tree root growth and manage stormwater runoff, but are designed so that the tree growth will not impact the paved surfaces in the surrounding area.

The trees will be five different varieties, all native species, and according to DiGiovanni when planted will have 3- to 3½-inches diameter trunks and will be 12 t0 15 feet tall. The new trees will be planted after the work on the full stretch of roadway is complete, along with the final paving.

Business owners were assured that signage will be in place noting that they are open throughout the construction project, but some remain concerned that there will be a reduction in foot traffic.

“While these exciting improvements are happening, West Hartford Center businesses will remain open and will be happy to welcome customers,” said O’Connor. “The Business Association is also working diligently to engage all businesses and landlords in the Center to boost resources to further spread the word about this project that will make the shopping and dining experience in West Hartford Center even more enjoyable.”

Parking during the construction was a topic of discussion at Wednesday’s meeting, and it was noted that a limited number of spaces will be closed off during each phase. In addition, because there will not be in-street dining corrals in the Center this year, those spaces won’t be lost.

In a news release, M&J Engineering noted that parking is also available in the privately-owned Town Center garage –  accessible from both South Main Street and LaSalle Road – as well as off-street parking in municipal lots off on Farmington Avenue, Brace Road, and at Town Hall, with fees applying at those locations.

“Parking alternatives are available via the WeHa Parking Finder App and visiting the town’s municipal parking website that also has information on designated parking for take-out and delivery zones, https://www.westhartfordct.gov/town-departments/parking,” M&J’s press release states.

West Hartford Economic Development Coordinator Kristen Gorski said that outdoor dining is permitted as of April 1, and while existing patios are available for use, she confirmed that there will not be in-street corrals deployed this year. She said that restaurant owners have been informed that while their patios can be used, they need to be flexible when the sidewalk construction is actually in front of their establishment.

A significant portion of the Arapahoe parking lot is being used to house the heavy construction equipment being used for the project, leaving no space for the long-standing West Hartford Farmers’ Market that has operated in that lot since 1992. Gorski advised that the market will return this year, however. “They will be moved to the Town Hall parking lot,” she said. The West Hartford Farmers Market will open in that location on Saturdays, beginning May 3, and will remain open until sometime around Thanksgiving. Signage will be posted shortly on the construction fencing in the Arapahoe lot to notify the public of the relocation, she said.

“These enhancements will benefit the community by improving the local economy, attracting more visitors, and providing a more enjoyable experience for residents and patrons alike. While businesses remain open, local business owners are committed to ensuring that patrons continue to receive the highest quality experience throughout the construction period,” M&J Engineering’s release states.

More information about the project can be found on the webpage of the town’s website, and will also be available at https://whartfordcenter.com.

Questions can be directed via email to CenterConstruction@westhartfordct.gov, and a representative of M&J will respond.