A Hartford resident who filed suit against the state Department of Transportation in November over the agency’s closure of Flower Street to pedestrian and cyclist traffic, said the case will resume Tuesday with planned testimony from both sides.
Christopher Brown, a resident of the city’s Frog Hollow neighborhood, said in a written statement that he will be in Hartford Superior Court Tuesday asking a judge to order the DOT to reopen Flower Street to pedestrian and cyclist traffic.
The street was closed in November because of safety concerns state officials thought would be created by the CTfastrak busway project, which is constructing a dedicated bus lane along the Amtrak train tracks Flower Street crosses over at grade.
The road was a popular way to get between Farmington Avenue and Capitol Avenue without using busier streets.
Brown’s attorney argues that the closure of Flower Street violated a May 2013 Bureau of Finance and Administration staff attorney order that the road not be closed unless a pedestrian and cyclist bridge was constructed over it.
The complaint also argues that businesses on Capitol Avenue have suffered and that cyclists and pedestrians must travel a more dangerous route as a result of the closure.
In his written statement Brown said DOT Commissioner James Redeker also plans to testify Tuesday. A DOT spokesmen did not immediately return emails Monday seeking confirmation of Redeker’s appearance in court. The court’s website lists a 10 a.m. hearing.
