Crews are working on the improvements along Rte.275/South Eagleville Road to optimize walkability and safety in this busy section of Town. Vehicles and pedestrians may be experiencing some traffic delays as this work is being performed, but the project will be largely completed this fall.

This section of South Eagleville Road has high vehicle and pedestrian traffic volumes and was the site of a recent pedestrian fatality. The proposed project includes extension of an off-street walkway from Maple Road to Separatist Road, which has already been awarded funding as part of a federal grant to eliminate gaps in the Downtown Storrs pedestrian network.

Additionally, the project includes Town staff's concept for creating a boulevard extending from 200 feet west of Maple Road to the intersection with Storrs Road. The proposed boulevard would include landscape medians, narrower travel lanes, shoulders, improved lighting and crossing signals, widening of the existing multi-use path, and addition of sidewalk from Storrs Road along the frontage of Mansfield Town Hall and Mansfield Community Center.  South Eagleville Road is the access point for several apartment complexes, including the new Eagleville Green affordable housing development.  With close proximity to the Mansfield Senior Center, and housing at Wright's Village and Juniper Hill, this section of Rte. 275 is the gateway to Downtown Storrs' services.

The proposed pedestrian improvements are intended to slow traffic and improve mobility for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is also supporting these improvements.. The introduction of a boulevard will complement and support UConn’s redevelopment of the Mansfield Apartments site. The redevelopment contemplates structure(s) adding 800 to 850 beds, which will increase the need for safe pedestrian facilities for students accessing campus through Downtown Storrs.

Improved pedestrian safety and traffic calming measures on South Eagleville Road between Separatist Road and Storrs Road is an important part of the community's plan for greater walkability and bicycling access.  The concept includes:

1. Narrowing of travel lanes
2. Installation of a landscaped median to create a boulevard
3. Widening the existing walkway on the south side of the road to create a multi-use trail that accommodates both pedestrians and bicyclists
4. Extending the multi-use path to Separatist Road
5. Adding sidewalks to the north side of South Eagleville Road along the frontage of the municipal complex

 The project will be substantially completed in 2025, but finishing of paving and landscaping may extend into early summer 2026.