Traffic Alert: Bolton Road Ext Open

Traffic Alert: New Traffic Pattern in Storrs Center
Bolton Road Ext Open to Vehicles; Wilbur Cross Way Temporarily Closed

The construction of Bolton Road Extension and Royce Circle in Storrs Center is now substantially complete, and these two streets are open to vehicles. Motorists wishing to head south on Storrs Road/Route 195 may now use the new, four-way, signalized intersection of Storrs Road and Bolton Road.

To accommodate on-going construction in Storrs Center, Wilbur Cross Way will be temporarily closed. This road will eventually be a two-way street connecting Royce Circle and Charles Smith Way (formerly referred to as the Post Office Road).

If you have any questions regarding this new traffic pattern and temporary road closure, please email StorrsCenterInfo@mansfieldct.org.

Entering the home stretch

Construction of One Royce Circle is nearing completion. The residents of The Oaks on the Square, whose apartments are on the upper four floors, are scheduled to move in in mid-August. On the first floor, each commercial tenant has a unique schedule, and the businesses will open as they are ready throughout the fall.

One Royce Circle

One Royce Circle, view from Storrs Road

One Royce Circle

One Royce Circle, southwest view

The streetscape enhancements of Storrs Road should be completed within the next two weeks. The new trees and landscaping create a more pleasing environment for pedestrians along Storrs Road.

Storrs Road sidewalk, in front of E. O. Smith High School

The paving of Bolton Road Extension and Royce Circle, which has started, will take place over the next few weeks. Bolton Road will connect with Bolton Road Extension to create the main, four-way, lighted intersection into Storrs Center. Traffic will be able to head north or south on Storrs Road from this intersection, and Bolton Road Extension and Royce Circle will form the remaining perimeters of the Town Square, the design of which is in progress.

The intersection of Storrs Road and Bolton Road will be the
main, four-way, lighted intersection into Storrs Center.

The form of the future Town Square is becoming visible.

Construction Progressing

The next building in Storrs Center, One Royce Circle, is nearing completion. The upper floors house The Oaks on the Square apartments, which are set to open for new residents in mid-August. Much of the interior work is focused on finishing these floors: installing appliances, painting, and completing building inspections.

One Royce Circle, as seen from Storrs Road/Route 195

Just as in the first phase of the project, the commercial spaces on the first floor of One Royce Circle all have their own schedules. These spaces will begin to open in August and continue through the end of the year. The tenants announced to date include: UConn Co-op @ Storrs Center, Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry, UConn Health Center, Haru Aki Café, and Webster Bank. The commercial space is approximately 90% leased with the remaining spaces under discussion.

Meanwhile, the completion of the streetscape improvements has been slowed somewhat by the wet weather. The painting and decorative concrete elements that remain require dryer conditions than the area has recently enjoyed.

The work on Bolton Road Extension and the completion of Royce Circle have proceeded apace. These two roads will be substantially completed prior to the opening of One Royce Circle.

Among the streetscape improvements to Storrs Road are wider sidewalks and new plantings.

Traffic Alert: Closure of Temporary Road

Please be advised that due to construction of Bolton Road Extension and the completion of Royce Circle, the temporary road connecting Dog Lane and Bolton Road will close beginning Tuesday, June 18.

Motorists wishing to turn from Dog Lane to travel south on Storrs Road (Route 195) will instead turn onto Royce Circle behind the Storrs Center parking garage and follow the newly constructed Wilbur Cross Way to Charles Smith Way (formerly referred to as “Post Office Road”). Vehicles will not be able to turn left onto Storrs Road from Dog Lane.

Northbound traffic turning right from Dog Lane onto Storrs Road will be unaffected by this change.

This traffic pattern will remain in effect while construction continues on Bolton Road Extension and Royce Circle.

Once complete, the intersection of Bolton Road Extension, Storrs Road, and Bolton Road will serve as the main, lighted intersection for Storrs Center. The new roads will complete the boundaries of the Town Square and will accommodate all traffic heading north and south on Storrs Road. Work is expected to be completed by the fall.

Southbound traffic will follow Royce Circle from Dog Lane to Charles Smith Way. 

Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center

Earlier this month, the Town of Mansfield oversaw the beginning of construction of the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center planned in Storrs Center. Gregg Wies & Gardner Architects of New Haven designed the building, and the Town selected W. J. Mountford Company of South Windsor through a competitive bid process to construct the building. The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center is expected to open in the fall of 2013.

The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center will be a key feature in Storrs Center with its convenient location adjacent to the Storrs Center parking garage. It will be a central stop for local, regional, and intrastate buses, including WRTD and UConn buses. Bus patrons will be able to track bus locations through an integrated technology system and wait for their bus either inside or outside the facility.

The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center will also offer amenities for bicyclists, whether casual riders or commuters. There will be bike lockers for storage, and commuters will be able to sign up to use showers and changing rooms.

Funding for the Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center is provided by a $4.9 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration. The Greater Hartford Transit District is administering the grant.

The Nash-Zimmer Transportation Center is named for Dennison Nash and Gary Zimmer, two longtime Mansfield residents who were strong advocates for alternative transportation.