Regional and Core Component Vision
Regional Core
Many recommendations from the GHMP are centered around the region's core, primarily Hartford and East Hartford, acknowledging accessibility as a core principle of the plan. Central to this vision is an emphasis on inclusive and equitable transportation options that rectify past disparities. The GHMP provides recommendations for diverse, reliable, and safe multimodal transportation choices that simultaneously mitigate our current transportation system's environmental impact. The GHMS organized its key recommendations into the following three components: City Link, River Gateway, and Founders Gateway.
Core Component Vision
The culmination of the GHMP vision is the three Core Components which aim to reimagine the way traffic and rail operations move through Hartford and change how people experience the city. The components will address geometric deficiencies, increase the efficiency of highway and rail operations, improve connectivity/access to the Connecticut River, and remove I-84 as physical barrier for pedestrians in downtown Hartford. The implementation of these projects would address structural, operational, and safety needs, reduce the number of ramps in Hartford and East Hartford, and improve connectivity between neighborhoods and significantly expand green spaces/parks. Lowering the highway would link neighborhoods currently severed by the highway and create additional developable land while improving rail and bus services that share the corridor.
City Link
City Link will address traffic operational, safety, and structural deficiencies on I-84, I-91 and the Hartford Line in Hartford and East Hartford. Each facility is constrained by existing structures that have exceeded their service lives and have deficiencies that negatively impact operations and safety. The Project would reconstruct I-84 as a lowered, at- or below-grade freeway between Park Street and the East Hartford Rt. 2/I-84 Mixmaster, providing opportunities for capped segments of I-84 through Hartford’s downtown.
Lowering the highway would link neighborhoods currently severed by the highway and create additional developable land while improving rail and bus services that share the corridor. City Link will help foster stronger community connections over the interstate and improve passenger rail service by realigning the tracks and constructing a new, modern train station between Asylum Hill and Downtown Hartford. This would allow for increased train speed and frequency while also creating a convenient transfer point for all transit modes including CTfastrak, CTtransit and local and express bus service.
River Gateway
River Gateway would return a direct connection to the Connecticut River from Hartford's central business district and address geometric deficiencies of the Whitehead Highway. Within the project area I-91 would be lowered and capped allowing for the construction of a new riverfront pedestrian-oriented boulevard and riverfront park. In addition, a new bridge would connect the Sheldon/Charter Oak neighborhood with a new, river oriented, mid-rise neighborhood in East Hartford. The bridge would prioritize bus, bicycle, and pedestrian travel while accommodating vehicle traffic.
Founders Gateway
Founders Gateway would complete the Core Component vision of GHMP through consolidation of the I-84/Route 2 interchange ramps in East Hartford. The consolidation would open significant acres of land to potential development and provide opportunities to strengthen the local street grid. The Founders Bridge could be re-purposed under this component to a local roadway with multi-modal accommodations. The East Hartford approach and the bridge facilities could be designed to reduce traffic speeds and enhance the environment for bicyclists and pedestrians.
