“Safer Streets — Safer New Haven”

Petition for Safer, Pedestrian-Friendly Streets in Downtown New Haven

To the Mayor of New Haven, the New Haven Board of Alders, the City Plan Commission, and the New Haven Traffic Authority:

We, the undersigned residents, students, workers, business owners, and visitors of New Haven, call for immediate and concrete action to make our streets safer, more accessible, and more pedestrian-friendly. The current street design around the New Haven Green prioritizes high-speed car traffic over the safety, well-being, and quality of life of people who live, study, and work here. Four-lane one-way streets make it dangerous and nearly impossible for pedestrians — especially students, families, and younger residents — to safely cross.

• Immediate Steps Requested

Aldermanic Sponsorship:
We request that our elected representatives sponsor legislation directing the City Plan Commission and the Traffic Authority to implement the following measures and provide a timeline for action.
Two-Way Street Conversions:
Convert one-way, high-speed streets around the New Haven Green (including Elm Street and surrounding corridors extending to Broadway) into two-way traffic. Two-way streets reduce vehicle speeds, increase driver awareness, and create safer conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
Speed Cameras:
Install automated speed enforcement cameras on all streets bordering the Green to deter dangerous driving and ensure compliance with posted speed limits.
Safe Crosswalks & Pedestrian Infrastructure:
Add new crosswalks, pedestrian-activated signals, and other street-safety technology at key intersections downtown. Special attention should be given to high foot-traffic areas frequented by students, residents, and visitors.

• Long-Term Planning and Study

Boulevard Conversions and Roundabouts: Convert highway-style entrances and exits — such as the Route 91 ramp at Orange Street — into safer boulevard or roundabout designs. These changes improve traffic flow, reduce speeding, and create safer pedestrian environments.

Traffic Calming and Pedestrian-First Design:
Expand roundabouts, curb extensions, pedestrian islands, and other traffic-calming infrastructure citywide to prioritize safety and accessibility.
Zoning and Urban Planning Reforms:
Update zoning and street design standards to reduce parking minimums and prioritize streets that support walking, biking, and community life.

• Economic and Community Benefits
Reconfiguring streets to prioritize pedestrian safety will also greatly benefit local businesses, residents, and developers:

Increased Foot Traffic: Safer streets encourage more people to walk, shop, and dine downtown, directly benefiting local businesses.

Residential Growth: Improved pedestrian infrastructure makes the area more attractive for families, students, and young professionals to live in, encouraging construction of new homes and mixed-use developments.
Vibrant Neighborhoods: Safer, walkable streets create a more inviting urban environment, supporting community life, local events, and long-term economic growth.
Property Values: Streets designed for people, not just cars, make neighborhoods more desirable, increasing investment in housing and businesses while improving quality of life.

New Haven should serve as a model for 21st-century urban design — one where students, families, residents, and visitors can safely walk and cross the street without fear of speeding traffic. We demand that our city leaders act now to build safer, more livable streets that support both the community and the economic vitality of downtown.