Reconstruction of the pavement on LaSalle Road is scheduled to begin Sept. 15.

By Ronni Newton

Implementation of the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan on LaSalle Road – which has been underway since the spring – is continuing to progress through the phases as scheduled, but officials announced last week that more extensive reconstruction of the roadway will be required.

“Originally, a simple mill and overlay was planned for LaSalle Road. Unfortunately, there were unforeseen issues during construction, which resulted in this scope change,” the construction management team from M&J Engineers stated in a news release last week.

Instead of just milling and repaving, the contractor will undertake the process of “roadway reclamation,” beginning Sept. 15.

“Roadway reclamation is a paving method where the existing asphalt pavement and a portion of the underlying base are pulverized, blended, and reused in place – often with stabilizing additives – before being paved over with new asphalt. By reusing materials, this process produces a uniform, stabilized base layer and reduces waste while extending the life of the roadway surface. The result is a more environmentally sustainable approach to construction that improves durability and long-term performance,” the news release stated.

While one lane of LaSalle Road will remain open and accessible at all times with the roadway reclamation being completed on the east side before moving to the west side of the road, it will disrupt traffic flow. For the duration, expected to be from Sept. 15 until Oct. 10, LaSalle Road will have one-way traffic only.

Work will begin on the east side of LaSalle Road, and the westbound lane will be open to southbound traffic only. Each segment of roadway is expected to take roughly two weeks to complete, depending on the weather, and when work shifts to the westbound lane the road will be open to northbound traffic only.

“Additional signage, traffic control, and pedestrian barriers will be in place to ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists, and all crosswalks will remain open,” the construction manager stated. “Businesses will continue to be open and fully accessible. Driveway access will also be maintained with temporary gravel ramps.” A directory of businesses can be found here on the West Hartford Center Business Association website.

During the roadway reclamation process, the town will offer free on-street parking on LaSalle Road (where accessible), as well as on Farmington Avenue. For additional parking options, drivers are urged to consult the WeHa Parking Finder app. In addition to town-owned parking lots and garages, the Town Center garage, which is accessible from South Main Street, is available as an alternative, and offers rates identical to surface lots and town-owned garages.

Sidewalks and additional infrastructure work

In addition to the roadway reclamation, infrastructure work continues on both sides of LaSalle Road, with the final segments – Phase 3A and 3B – underway.

On the west side of LaSalle Road, designated as Phase 3B on the construction staging schedule, currently work is taking place between Ellsworth and Arapahoe roads, in front of William Raveis and the parking lot. A conduit has been installed across Ellsworth and LaSalle roads at the intersection, and crews continue to install soil cells for the street trees that will be planted this fall, along with grading and pouring sidewalks and completing curb work.

On the east side of LaSalle Road, the contractor has broken down Phase 3A into smaller segments of 100-150 in order to minimize disruption to businesses. The construction manager is keeping affected businesses informed as they extend the work southward.

New sidewalks in front of Savoy and Friendly Toast have recently been completed, and work is underway or soon to begin in front of the following street-level businesses: Lux Bond & Green, Store 52, More Italian Pasta Lab, Cookshop Plus, Block Advisors, Harvest Wine Bar, Matthew Phillips, Song, Qais Convenience Shop, NY Deli & Grill, and Restaurant Bricco.

As part of the Infrastructure Master Plan, 36 street trees were removed in March. The project includes planting of several varieties of native street trees – a total of 52 – and that work will also take place this fall.

Work on LaSalle Road is scheduled to be substantially completed by early November. The West Hartford Infrastructure Master Plan reconstruction project will move to Farmington Avenue in early 2026, and will be implemented in phases as well.

Questions about the project can be emailed to the construction manager at [email protected].

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