Waterbury to begin $3.5 million sidewalk improvement project

Waterbury will begin a $3,483,612 sidewalk improvement project in July, launching a yearlong construction window that city officials say is aimed at improving pedestrian safety, accessibility and roadway operations.

The contract was awarded to Colonna Masonry Concrete and Asphalt Paving LLC, according to the city’s announcement. The work is scheduled to continue through June 2027.

The project is part of a broader infrastructure update that also includes traffic signal upgrades and a bridge load-rating change. City officials said the package reflects ongoing maintenance needs across the city’s street network.

Sidewalk work planned across multiple streets

The city said the sidewalk project will cover North Walnut Street, Rose Street, Huntingdon Avenue, Peach Orchard Road, Branch Street, Congress Avenue, East Main Street, Hawkins Street and portions of Baldwin Street.

Those corridors run through residential and commercial areas, so the start of construction is likely to affect pedestrians, drivers and nearby businesses once work begins. The city has not yet published a detailed construction schedule.

Officials also have not released a street-by-street sequence for the project or said whether any of the corridors will face full closures. For now, the public timeline points to a July start and a finish by the end of June 2027.

Signal upgrades and bridge update

Along with the sidewalk contract, Waterbury approved $89,130 for A&S Electrical Services Inc. to replace traffic signal lights with LED units. The city said the new lights carry a 10-year warranty and are intended to improve visibility while lowering energy use and maintenance costs.

The mayor’s office also said the Frost Road Bridge over the Mad River now has an updated load rating. The bridge remains open to vehicles and pedestrians.

Under the updated rating, the bridge can carry 17 tons for single-axle vehicles, 24 tons for tandem-axle vehicles and a 33-ton maximum gross vehicle weight. That gives drivers, including emergency vehicles, clearer operating limits for the structure.

What happens next

The next major public update is likely to come before work begins in July, when the city may release a more detailed construction schedule or traffic notice. Residents along the affected streets will also be watching for any changes to the project scope.

The LED signal work and bridge rating update may also prompt additional traffic guidance if the city issues detour or lane-closure details. For now, Waterbury has presented the items as a coordinated infrastructure package with safety, visibility and maintenance benefits.