Norwich — The downtown traffic pattern could change dramatically by next summer, as the city took the first step in a project to create a roundabout at Franklin Square.

The city received six responses Tuesday from engineering firms interested in doing the design and engineering for the roundabout project, which would allow for traffic flow in all directions at Main and Franklin streets. The project also would include a design for the center island and a plan to widen sidewalks in spots to allow merchants to offer outdoor seating or vending.

The firms, all from Connecticut, will be reviewed by a committee that will select finalists to be interviewed before the city selects a consultant to design the project, Public Works Director Patrick McLaughlin said Tuesday. He hopes to have the finalist selected by Nov. 1. The city then would negotiate a contract with the firm to design the specifications to go out to bid for construction.

McLaughlin hopes construction can be done next spring and summer.

The city in December received a $400,000 state grant through the State Department of Transportation Community Connectivity Program. McLaughlin said the city anticipates the project could cost a bit more than that, and the city would have to pay for any costs in excess of the grant. The city also is paying for the design and engineering costs.

The project calls for eliminating the confusing current traffic arrangement in Franklin Square, which is really a triangle. Vehicles enter Franklin Street heading north from Main Street along two, one-way strips, one from the east and the other from the west. The city converted Franklin Street from one-way to two-way traffic in May 2017, but traffic heading south toward Main Street can’t get there directly. Vehicles turn right onto Bath Street and then left onto lower Broadway to Main Street.

With the planned roundabout, southbound Franklin Street traffic will be able to go directly to Main Street.

“It will be better traffic circulation,” McLaughlin said.

The six firms who submitted responses to the city’s request for qualifications for design firms are: Alfred Benesche & Co. of Glastonbury, AI Engineers Inc. of Middletown, Milone & MacBroom of Cheshire, Weston & Sampson of Rocky Hill, Fuss & O’Neill of Manchester and VHB of Wethersfield.

Mayor Peter Nystrom, a member of the City Council Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee, said he is especially eager to see proposed engineering designs that incorporate the wider sidewalks for outside use by businesses and to make the downtown center “more pedestrian user-friendly.”

c.bessette@theday.com