Chapel Street Will Be Restored to a Two-Way Street

Chapel Street will be converted from one-way to two-way traffic between College Street and York Street as part of the City of New Haven’s Chapel Street Safe Streets Project. 

The broader project is supported by an $11 million federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant and focuses on improving safety along a 1.6-mile stretch of Chapel Street between State Street and Ella T. Grasso Boulevard. 

Phase 1, including the two-way conversion and immediate improvements—is funded through a combination of state and local funds and includes new pavement markings, signage, and signal adjustments. 

The new traffic pattern is expected to take effect on the week of April 20, 2026. 

Chapel Street is part of New Haven’s High Injury Network, meaning it has been identified as a priority corridor for safety improvements. Two-way streets are associated with improved safety and circulation by: 

• simplifying navigation through Downtown 
• reducing turning conflicts at busy intersections 
• encouraging lower driving speeds 

The conversion also improves direct access to businesses and destinations along Chapel Street while preparing the corridor for additional safety improvements planned as part of the larger Chapel Street project. 

The new two-way traffic pattern creates more direct routes into Downtown and reduces the need for left turns at busy intersections near the New Haven Green. For example, drivers exiting Route 34 (Oak Street Connector) currently must travel: 

MLK Jr. Boulevard → Church Street → Chapel Street 

This requires a left turn at the Church and Chapel intersection, which is one of the busiest pedestrian areas in the city. With two-way traffic on Chapel Street, drivers can instead travel: 

MLK Jr. Boulevard → York Street → Chapel Street 

This route avoids a major heavy pedestrian intersection, reduces left-turn conflicts, and provides more direct access to businesses and destinations along Chapel Street. It also improves access for deliveries and service vehicles traveling into Downtown. 

Nearly all on-street parking along this section of Chapel Street will remain.  

A small number of spaces will be converted to dedicated commercial loading zones on the south side of Chapel Street between College Street and York Street to better support deliveries to local businesses. 

No. The two-way conversion will not affect CTtransit bus routes or bus stop locations along Chapel Street. Public transit service will continue to operate as it does today. 

Drivers should use designated commercial loading zones where available or nearby side streets for short stops. Because Chapel Street will operate with one lane in each direction, stopping in the travel lane can block traffic flow and create safety concerns. 

The City’s Parking Enforcement team will provide targeted enforcement to help keep loading zones available and support safe, reliable operations along the corridor. 

Several safety upgrades are being installed as part of the two-way conversion, including: 

• Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) with audible and tactile features 

• Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) that give pedestrians a head start before vehicles move, with pedestrian signals that remain active concurrent with the direction of travel 

• High-visibility crosswalks at intersections 

• Signal timing improvements to enhance traffic flow and pedestrian safety 

These upgrades are designed to make crossings safer and more visible for people walking in the Downtown area. 

The two-way conversion between College Street and York Street is the first step in a larger corridor safety project. 

Future phases of the Chapel Street Safe Streets Project will include additional signal upgrades, intersection improvements, and other infrastructure enhancements along the broader 1.6-mile corridor between State Street and Ella T. Grasso Boulevard, including a planned next phase extending west from York Street toward Dwight Street. 

Construction for later phases is expected to continue through 2027–2029 as part of the federally funded project. 

Chapel Street historically operated as a two-way street. Converting it back supports a more intuitive street network, improves access to local businesses, and aligns with the City’s broader goal of creating a safer, more balanced Downtown street system.