Route 190 Corridor Study: A Multi-Faceted Approach

Route 190 is an east-west arterial in the suburban communities of Enfield and Somers in northern Connecticut. The ten-mile corridor passes through areas of different character – the western end is commercially developed with a connection to Route I-91 and the eastern end is rural. The corridor passes through four village areas, three of which are designated as National Historic Districts. This paper summarizes the key results of the Route 190 Corridor Study conducted for the Capitol Region Council of Governments. The study evaluated traffic conditions and suggested improvements to assure future mobility and to preserve the historic character of the four villages. Recommendations included traffic engineering, bicycle and pedestrian improvements. The traffic forecasts indicated that there would be no need to widen Route 190. The realignment of intersection approaches and provision of turn lanes will provide necessary capacity increases. The study addressed access management for the two communities in several ways. First, access management was incorporated into recommended improvements, by closing some driveways or by planning for future consolidated access in undeveloped portions of the corridor. Secondly, the local planning, zoning and subdivision regulations were reviewed and recommendations were made to strengthen the ability to control and manage access. Two general approaches were taken: possible overlay districts, for which special regulations were developed, and a more general incorporation of access management provisions into townwide regulations. The corridor study was conducted with an extensive public and community participation process. The public involvement program was effective in building consensus for recommended improvements. The communities have adopted the overall corridor improvement plans, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation is planning to implement several of the recommended projects. The study indicates that a corridor improvement plan can be implemented for two-lane rural roads, and that such a plan can also extend beyond the immediate corridor.