Troy Downtown Streetscape Project to Bring Multiyear Safety, Infrastructure Upgrades; Here's What You Need to Know
Information and images from the City of Troy
TROY - A major multiyear project to reconstruct portions of downtown Troy, improve pedestrian safety and replace aging infrastructure is scheduled to begin this fall.
The city's Downtown Safety and Streetscape Renovation Project will include reconstruction of the Public Square, Prouty Plaza and portions of Main and Market streets.
The project area includes Main Street from Cherry Street to Mulberry Street, Market Street from Franklin Street to Water Street and all four quadrants of the Public Square.
Construction is authorized at a cost of up to $12 million. The city's engineering estimate for construction was $11.3 million, with a 7% construction contingency bringing the authorized amount to $12 million.
The project is intended to address aging infrastructure while making changes to pedestrian crossings, traffic circulation, parking, sidewalks, landscaping and downtown public spaces.
Among the major changes will be reconstruction of the existing traffic circle into a single-lane roundabout. The redesigned roundabout will include a mountable truck apron and right-turn slip lanes.
The city also plans to modify the approaches to pedestrian crossings around the roundabout. Curb bump-outs will shorten crossing distances, while raised pedestrian refuge islands will be installed in the center of the crosswalks on all four legs of the roundabout.
The city has said the changes are intended to improve pedestrian safety and calm traffic entering and leaving the roundabout.
Sidewalks throughout the project area will be reconstructed, including areas where existing sidewalks have settled or become uneven. Sidewalks adjacent to downtown buildings around the Square will be widened to provide additional pedestrian space.
The project also will address stormwater drainage. Curbs and storm sewer infrastructure will be reconstructed or relocated in areas where water currently ponds near curb ramps.
Aging water mains and services also will be replaced. City documents say the utility work will provide additional capacity and allow downtown properties to install fire suppression systems.
Parking around the Public Square is expected to remain generally consistent with the current configuration.
There are currently 70 parking spaces within the Square. A conceptual design showed 69 spaces, although the city has said the final number will not be established until detailed design work is complete.
The four quadrants surrounding the Public Square also will be reconstructed. Plans call for wider sidewalks, outdoor dining areas, seating, planting beds, small lawn areas, event platforms and other streetscape amenities.
The project includes new or improved lighting, landscaping, brick pavers, seating and other pedestrian amenities. Digital kiosk boards also are planned for the quadrants.
Prouty Plaza, located in the northwest quadrant of the Public Square, will receive a substantial redesign as part of the project. Plans include new brick pavers, seating, landscaping and improvements intended to accommodate public gatherings and events.
The city also is considering bollards and other crowd-protection measures that could be used when portions of downtown are closed to traffic for festivals, parades and other events.
The project has been in development for several years and has undergone changes following public meetings and community input.
Earlier concepts included elevated platforms in the downtown quadrants. Those platforms were later removed from the plans, while Prouty Plaza became the primary redesigned gathering space.
The city also retained a single-lane roundabout after considering different configurations.
LJB Inc. is serving as the project's design engineer. City Council previously authorized conceptual design and additional engineering services for the project, including the Prouty Plaza redesign.
The city advertised the construction project for bids in July, with bids due in August.
Construction is planned in five phases.
The first phase, scheduled for fall 2026, will begin with work on the center fountain. The city has said the work will not interrupt traffic and that the Grand Illumination and other holiday festivities will continue as usual.
The second phase is tentatively scheduled from January through May 2027 and will include South Market Street to Franklin Street and the southwest quadrant.
The third phase is tentatively scheduled from June through November 2027 and will include East Main Street to Mulberry Street and the southeast quadrant.
The fourth phase is tentatively scheduled from December 2027 through April 2028 and will include North Market Street to Water Street and the northeast quadrant.
The fifth phase is tentatively scheduled from May through September 2028 and will include West Main Street and the northwest quadrant.
The city has described the 2027 and 2028 dates as tentative, meaning the construction schedule could change as work progresses.
The project is expected to replace significant amounts of downtown infrastructure while changing the appearance and function of some of Troy's most heavily used public spaces.
City officials have presented the project at numerous public meetings and City Council sessions since the initial concepts were introduced.
The city continues to maintain project information, plans and updates on its engineering department website HERE.
