Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Reconstruction of Route 34 (Main Street) in Derby aimed to reduce traffic congestion and improve operational efficiency at key intersections along Route 34 including Bridge Street, Elizabeth Street, and Water Street. Additionally, the $46.66 million project boosted roadway capacity in anticipation of increased travel demands based on future land use in downtown Derby. Overall, the project improved travel times and accommodations for community users. By increasing capacity and upgrading traffic signals, the project improved traffic flow and parking while adding new sidewalks with bump-outs at intersections. It also introduced rain gardens and permeable pavers—materials that allow water to pass through rather than run off.

Streetscape features such as lighting, trees, and defined granite curbs between the road and sidewalk, as well as paved areas made of individual brick blocks, improve the pedestrian environment, along with refuge islands that make it safer to cross Main Street. The project also included connections to the Derby Greenway Trail, which is a two-mile long multi-purpose trail along the Naugatuck and Housatonic Rivers. The Derby section of the Naugatuck River Greenway System is the second-busiest multipurpose trail in Connecticut, providing residents with an active way to connect with surrounding communities. Additional on-street parking was installed to support local businesses along with the construction of a dedicated parking lot for the Derby Greenway. As a result, the project delivers a safer and smoother travel experience for all users by accommodating increased traffic volumes and improving traffic signal operations. It also enhances pedestrian safety and adds streetscape improvements, helping create a more accessible economic center in downtown Derby that supports local businesses, public spaces, and regional economic growth.