Demolition On North Ave. Bridge Over New England Thruway Set To Begin

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Traffic patterns will change once again in New Rochelle, affecting both those in town, and those just passing through.

The NYS Thruway Authority announced that work to remove the rest of the North Ave. bridge over the New England Thruway (I-95) in New Rochelle is expected to begin on Wednesday, weather permitting. The demolition work will require three weeks of overnight lane closures and traffic stops on I-95 and North Ave.

In January, the $31.8 million project to replace the North Ave. bridge moved into its next stage of construction. All northbound traffic is now traveling in the bridge's new outer lane through the work zone, while all southbound traffic is being detoured at Lockwood Ave. and directed to Memorial Highway. This traffic pattern will be in effect until later this year to allow the contractor to remove and replace the center section of the old bridge.

Most of the construction at this stage is taking place during the day. However, certain activities, such as the upcoming removal of superstructure elements, will need to done at night. This will limit the impacts to traffic and provide for the safety of the project's workers and drivers.

During the upcoming work, two out of three lanes in each direction on I-95 will be closed on weeknights, starting as early as 10 p.m., and will fully open by 5 a.m. Police officers and flaggers will direct drivers on North Ave. after 10 p.m. until 6 a.m., if lane closures are needed.

Over the next three weeks, multiple traffic stops up to 20 minutes long will take place at the same time on I-95 and North Ave. This will be to allow cranes to safely load large sections of steel onto flatbed trucks parked below on the highway.

Drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes around the work zone to avoid delays, starting after 8 p.m.

Variable message signs on North Ave. and in the area will inform drivers if a detour is needed.

The Thruway Authority’s Facebook and X accounts can be checked for the latest travel advisories.

The North Ave. bridge replacement project began in January 2023. During the first stage, the contractor built the outermost components of the new bridge, installing piles, constructing the center pier, erecting 130-foot-long steel girders and pouring concrete for the road deck. Burling Lane was converted to a one-way road for westbound traffic.

Earlier this year, contractor crews installed foundations to support the new center section of the bridge.

Later this year, there will be extended full closures of the bridge to erect steel. Additional details will be provided in the future.

A new traffic pattern has been in place since 2023 to allow cars, buses, and other vehicles with three axles or less to use the bridge:

• Southbound drivers should follow the posted detour at Lockwood Ave., just before the bridge, and give themselves extra time; others who don't need to be in the area should seek alternate routes.
• First responders, cars, buses, delivery trucks, and vehicles with three axles or less have access to the northbound lane of the bridge at all times.
• Left turns from Garden St. to North Ave. are prohibited.
• Burling Lane, between North Ave. and May St., is still closed to traffic.
• Two lanes remain open to traffic on Station Plaza North and drivers can continue to turn left or right onto North Ave.
• Pedestrian/bicycle traffic can continue to use the walkway over I-95 connecting Burling Lane and the train station.
• All local businesses are still accessible.

The original North Ave. bridge opened in 1958 and connects North Ave., Garden St., Burling Lane, and Station Plaza North.

When the project is completed, the new bridge will be wider, improve traffic flow on nearby roads, and raise its vertical clearance over I-95 to 16 feet 6 inches from the current height of 14 feet 3 inches.

The project contractor is J. D’Annunzio & Sons, Inc.

Digital message boards have been placed around the work zone to advise drivers and pedestrians about the project. Physical signs have also been installed in the work zone and in the vicinity to alert drivers and pedestrians about the various detours.

Additional project information, photos and maps, can be found on the the project page on the Thruway Authority's website.

Drivers are urged to be alert and follow the speed limits posted in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.