I-95 Bridge Replacement Project's 2nd Phase Means New Traffic Pattern

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — If you have gotten used to the bridgework over I-95, get ready to leave your comfort zone.

The $31.8 million project to replace the 65-year-old North Avenue bridge over the New England Thruway (I-95) in New Rochelle is moving into its next stage of construction, and will require a temporary traffic detour until late this year, according to the NYS Thruway Authority.

Starting Tuesday, Jan. 7, all northbound traffic (heading toward City Hall) will travel in the new outer lane through the work zone, while all southbound traffic (heading toward Main Street) will be detoured at Lockwood Avenue and directed to Memorial Highway. This traffic pattern will be in place around the clock until late 2025 to allow the contractor to remove and replace the remainder of the old bridge — its center section. There will also be extended closures of the North Avenue bridge in both directions during demolition and steel installation.

North Avenue will be closed to all southbound traffic at Lockwood Avenue beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Drivers should follow the posted detour or seek alternate routes around the work zone.

The southbound detour was not originally planned but is necessary due to the frequency of tractor trailers and other trucks with four or more axles ignoring the posted truck detour that has been in place since early 2023 and traveling through the work zone.

Due to space constraints of the Stage 2 work zone, large trucks cannot physically navigate the bridge in the southbound direction and pose a considerable safety risk to workers and drivers. Thruway Authority staff has coordinated with New Rochelle officials to optimize traffic signal timing along the detour route in an effort to improve traffic flow.

The new traffic pattern is anticipated to be in place for approximately one year, according to the Thruway Authority.