New Haven expressway into boulevard

New Haven, Connecticut, has taken another step toward turning a short expressway near downtown into a pedestrian-friendly boulevard lined by mixed-use buildings. Nine firms have submitted bids for the task of helping the city devise a plan for remaking the Rt. 34 Connector. CNU President John Norquist helped drum up support for the expressway makeover during a conference several months ago. The project entails restoring the street grid, which was disrupted half a century ago when the mostly sunken highway and its ramps were constructed.