Design plans for all of Norwich's arterial highways, including East Main Street, called for the roads to be widened to , an increase of up to in some locations. Additionally, in the vicinity of the Chenango River, East Main Street would be realigned slightly to take a northeasterly track across a new bridge over the river. As a result, the reconfigured East Main Street would meet East River Road at a point slightly north of the existing intersection between the two highways. The total cost of reconstructing East River Road, Broad Street, and Main Street was estimated at $952,800 (equivalent to $ in ), of which all but $3,350 would be paid for by the state. Work began in October 1954 with a $250,000 project (equivalent to $ in ) rebuilding the part of North Broad Street between Mitchell Street and the northern city line. It was completed in 1955.