Main Street in Derby was reconstructed between Bridge Street and Route 8. The project included:
- widening to create two through lanes in each direction separated by a center median, with dedicated turning lanes at intersections;
- improvements to traffic signals, including the interconnect of the signals to improve traffic flow;
- improvements to parking, including on-street parallel parking on both the north and south sides of Main Street and a separate parking lot on the south side of Main Street across from the Derby Senior Center, with roughly 30 to 35 parking spaces;
- an upgraded storm drainage system;
- low-impact development features including a rain garden and permeable pavers;
- new sidewalks with bump-outs at intersections; and
- lighting and other streetscape features such as trees, granite curbing, and brick paver areas.
Improvements were also made to Elizabeth Street, Minerva Street, Water Street, and Factory Street. Elizabeth, Minerva, and Thirds Streets were converted to one-way circulation. Traffic now travels north on Minerva St. and south on Elizabeth St. Angled on-street parking was implemented on Minerva Street. Parallel on-street parking remains on Elizabeth St. Parallel on-street parking was implemented on Third Street. Pedestrians now have refuge islands mid-way as they cross Main St. Sanitary sewer improvements was also incorporated into the project.
This plan from 2016 depicts the cycle track along the south side of Main Street. Since the time this drawing was created, changes were made based on input from the public, which removed the cycle track and created on-street parking along the south side of Main Street.
Route 34 exists as a primary artery through much of the lower valley and operates as a key connection between the downtowns of Shelton and Derby. Route 34 further exists as the ‘Main Street’ for Derby. This has been a major design consideration with regard to the rehabilitation of the roadway. The reconstruction project of Route 34 from Bridge Street to the Route 8 interchange was initiated to combat congestion along this stretch of road. Secondary to this is the understanding that as the City’s ‘Main Street’ the design team needs to remain cognizant of the needs to facilitate and encourage a roadway that creates a vibrant, walkable, and visually pleasing mixed-use place.
A pre-construction meeting was held on February 17, 2022. Meeting minutes can be viewed here.
- April 2013 – Design of project begins
- November 2021 – Construction bid opened
- April 2022 – Construction started by C. J. Fucci Inc. of New Haven
- April 2023 – Southside embankment completed
- January 2024 – Two new lanes added on the south side; traffic shifted south for north side work
- November 2024 – North side construction completed; all four lanes opened to traffic
- June 2025 – Punch list walkthrough
- August 2025 – Final walkthrough and project completion
Take a look at the construction phase in 360° from May 2024. Click the link to explore.
The construction has now been completed as of Fall 2025.
Click the links below to access a variety of resources related to the project.
