Outdoor Dining To Be Expanded For Season In West Hartford

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Starting Monday natives and guests alike who enjoy dining outdoors will notice the return of on-street outdoor dining barriers at multiple West Hartford hotspots.

With Mother's Day weekend dining the goal, West Hartford officials this week said work to expand those outdoor dining zones will start Monday, May 6.

As a result, the expanded on-street outdoor dining areas will start to be visible that day at Blue Back Square and West Hartford Center.

The town's public works department will deploy barriers on LaSalle Road, Farmington Avenue, and Memorial Road.

Work is slated to begin at 7 a.m. that day and motorists can expect lane closures in the work zone, but the roadway will remain open.

In preparation for the placement of the barriers, the DPW has been trimming trees located within the sidewalks to ensure the safety of diners and pedestrians.

This year's effort comes as the town is planning longer-range modifications to the sidewalk areas there, namely a sidewalk widening project expected to begin about a year from now.

"Through its work with Stantec on the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan, the Town plans to widen sidewalks to accommodate more outdoor dining in 2025," wrote the town.

The West Hartford Town Council unanimously approved changes to its Outdoor Dining Ordinance on April 11, 2023, which brings local regulations in line with the statutory changes enacted in 2021.

From April 20, 2023: 'Outdoor Dining Rules Eased By West Hartford Council