Downtown Streets Scheduled for Repaving

The Department of Public Works announced a paving schedule today for several Downtown Hartford streets. Portions of Main Street, American Row, Central Row and Pearl Street will be milled between September 29th - October 1st and repaved between October 3rd - October 4th. See the press release for all of the details.

Weekday Event at XL Center Promises Major Traffic Congestion

MAJOR TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Commuters and Ticket Holders for Seminar Should Prepare for Major Traffic Congestion/Parking Issues and Take Steps to Prevent Delays

Good – yet challenging – news for Downtown Hartford on Wednesday, September 9 as the nationally renowned “Get Motivated" Business Seminar scheduled to feature General Colin Powell, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former First Lady Laura Bush, and numerous other well-known figures (subject to change) will be held at the XL Center.

The sold-out event is expected to draw nearly 19,000 ticket holders to the XL Center – all during morning rush hour, when more than 75,000 regular commuters already are coming into the city. This additional traffic influx has the potential to cause one of the largest traffic jams in Hartford’s history.

► This surge of ticket holders traveling into Hartford for an 8 a.m. start (doors open at 6:45 a.m.) at the XL Center will certainly create major traffic issues during normal morning rush hour, and again during the afternoon rush hour, when the event concludes at 4:45 p.m.

► Commuters and event ticket holders alike should be aware that traffic congestion is expected to be at an all-time high. People expecting to park downtown may find lots and garages already filled to capacity. This has been the case in every city where the event has been held, creating massive traffic back-ups in Pittsburgh, Albany and Buffalo.

To try and reduce delays caused by large numbers of people and vehicles coming Downtown at one time, a consortium – including the XL Center, Hartford Hospitality Task Force, Hartford Business Improvement District, City of Hartford, State of Connecticut, Greater Hartford Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hartford Parking Authority, MetroHartford Alliance, and others – are working with event promoters to provide the public with commuting options, including special shuttle bus parking lots on that day. (In fact, the promoters report that Hartford is the first city ever to call them to try plan ahead and try to prevent greater traffic problems).

The corporate community is being contacted and urged to encourage staff to telecommute or to offer staggered work hours on that day so employees can avoid the morning and afternoon rush.

• Commuters and “Get Motivated” ticket holders are encouraged to consider the following options for transportation on that day (or any day, for that matter):
• Leave early for work or for “Get Motivated” event – doors open at 6:45 a.m.; event begins at 8 a.m.;
• Carpool with another person, and use the H.O.V. lanes (reserved for vehicles with two or more);
• Utilize public transportation, visit www.cttransit.com or call 860-525-9181 for schedules;
• Park your car at a suburban Park & Drive lot with a CT Transit bus (if available), or park your car at a lot and carpool in with another person;
• Use Amtrak. Two trains depart from Springfield, Windsor Locks, and Windsor early enough to arrive in Hartford by 8 a.m. –reservations are needed, www.amtrak.com or 1-800-USA-RAIL; or

• Ticket holders may utilize one of two special “Get Motivated” Shuttle parking lots for $5 per vehicle and take a free Shuttle bus to the XL Center from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day. The two locations are:

1. Hartford’s North Meadows-Exit 33 off I-91 [recommended for people coming from the North and the West]; and
2. Rentschler Field in East Hartford-Exit 58 off I-84) [recommended for people coming from the South and the East];

• If you are staying at a hotel, are going to the XL Center from work, or want to move around Downtown, hop aboard the Hartford Star Shuttle, a free service which loops the Downtown area every few minutes, stopping at major hotels and attractions. www.cttransit.com;
• If you know a short cut, use it; or
• If you have a bicycle, ride it.

Even with all of these actions, people still should expect significantly more rush hour traffic than normal. Please be patient and make every effort to provide lots of time for your trip into and through Hartford.

Information on driving/parking suggestions and “Get Motivated” shuttles will be posted and updated at www.xlcenter.com

* DIRECTIONS TO “GET MOTIVATED” SHUTTLE PARKING IN HARTFORD AND EAST HARTFORD:

Recommended for people driving from the West (from Waterbury):
NORTH MEADOWS IN HARTFORD Take I-84 East to I-91 North exit (Springfield). Take I-91 North to Exit 33 – Jennings Road. Police officers will direct you to parking areas.

Recommended for people driving from the North (from Springfield):
NORTH MEADOWS IN HARTFORD Take I-91 South to Exit 33 – Jennings Road. Police officers will direct you to parking areas.

Recommended for people driving from the East (from Vernon): RENTSCHLER FIELD IN EAST HARTFORD Take I-84 West to Exit 58. Police officers will direct you to parking areas.

Recommended for people driving from the South (from New Haven): RENTSCHLER FIELD IN EAST HARTFORD Take I-91 North to Exit 25 (Route 3-Glastonbury). Bear left at end of Route 3 onto Route 2 West. Take Exit 4 to I-84 East (Boston). Take Exit 58 to Rentschler Field. Police officers will direct you to parking areas. OR Take I-91 North, pass the new CT Science Center in Hartford on your left, to Exit 33 – Jennings Road. Police officers will direct you to parking areas.

Recommended for people driving from Route 2 (Norwich): RENTSCHLER FIELD IN EAST HARTFORD Take Route 2 West. Take Exit 4 to I-84 East (Boston). Take Exit 58 to Rentschler Field. Police officers will direct you to parking areas.