Traffic Alert: I-95 North Ave. Bridge Demolition Begins

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Demolition work will likely cause traffic woes for commuters on the New England Thruway as well a downtown New Rochelle starting Monday and work will continue for the foreseeable future, according to the NYS Thruway Authority.

The New York State Thruway Authority announced that the demolition at the North Ave. bridge I-95 in New Rochelle is expected to begin on Monday, Oct. 30. The work is expected to take around three weeks, and will take place overnight requiring lane closures and traffic stops on I-95 and North Ave.

The $31.8 million project to replace the 65-year-old bridge with a modern span began earlier this year in January, with the most of construction taking place during the day. The three-year, three-stage project is currently in its first stage, which allows for two lanes of traffic in the center of the existing bridge while its outermost components are removed and new foundations are built, while still maintaining access to downtown New Rochelle.

SEE ALSO: $31.8M North Ave. Bridge Project Over I-95 In New Rochelle Kicks Off

However, the upcoming removal of superstructure elements, will require night work. This will limit unavoidable impacts to traffic, both on I-95 and within New Rochelle, while also maintaining the safety of the project’s workers and drivers.

During the work starting next week, two out of three lanes in each direction on I-95 will be closed overnight on weeknights, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. New Rochelle police officers and flaggers will direct drivers on North Ave., which will have a one-way alternating traffic pattern between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on most work nights.

Starting in mid-November, several traffic stops of up to 20 minutes will take place simultaneously on I-95 and North Ave. to allow cranes to safely load large sections of steel onto flatbed trucks located below the highway.

The public is advised to check the Thruway Authority’s Facebook and X accounts for the latest travel advisories.

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

Variable message signs on North Ave. and in the surrounding area will advise drivers about detours.

Since March of this year, a new traffic pattern has been implemented to allow vehicles with three axles or less to use two lanes in the center of the bridge. Left turns from North Ave. to Garden St. are still prohibited, as are left turns from Garden St. to North Ave. Due to space constraints, trucks with four or more axles are prohibited from traveling through the construction zone, and detours signs have been posted.

Stage 1 Summary of Traffic Flow:

• First responders, cars, buses, delivery trucks, and vehicles with three axles or less have access to the bridge at all times.
• Left turns from North Ave. to Garden St. are prohibited. A detour using Lockwood Ave. to Memorial Highway is available.
• Left turns from Garden St. to North Ave. are prohibited. A detour using Cedar St. to Hugeunot St. is available.
• Due to space constraints, vehicles with more than three axles are not allowed through the construction zone. A truck detour is available.
• Burling Lane between North Ave. and May St. is closed for the project's duration.
• The left-turn lane on Station Plaza North is part of the work zone. Two lanes are open to traffic and drivers can continue to turn left onto North Ave.
• Pedestrian/bicycle traffic can use the walkway over I-95 connecting at Burling Lane and the train station throughout the project's duration.
• All local businesses are accessible.

Thruway Authority engineers, in collaboration with New Rochelle officials, determined the North Ave. bridge replacement should be completed in three stages to maintain access to the heart of the city while also minimizing the impacts to local residents, businesses, and drivers. When the project is mostly completed in 2025, the new bridge will be wider, will improve traffic flow on nearby roads, and will raise the vertical clearance over I-95 to 16' 6" from the current height of 14' 3". The North Ave. bridge opened in 1958 and connects North Ave., Garden St., Burling Lane, and Station Plaza North. It is estimated that around 7.3 million vehicles travel on the bridge each year.

Stage 1 includes the construction of new substructures, erection of steel and placement of concrete decks.

Stage 2 will move vehicles to two lanes on the new outer bridge sections so the remaining parts of the old bridge can be removed and rebuilt.

Stage 3 will move vehicles to the center of the new five-lane bridge so sidewalks, paving, decorative lighting, etc. can be completed. Burling Lane has been converted to a one-way road for westbound traffic.

The project's 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 placed in the work zone and in the area to alert drivers and pedestrians about detours.

For additional information, photos and maps, visit the project page on the Thruway Authority’s website.

Drivers should expect I-95 lane closures along with traffic shifts and stoppages while construction takes place. Drivers should follow posted work zone speed limits and are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. According to the Work Zone Safety Act of 2005, convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual's driver license.

For up-to-date travel information, drivers are urged to download the Thruway Authority’s mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides drivers with real-time traffic information, live traffic cameras and navigation assistance. Travelers can also visit the Thruway Authority's interactive Traveler Map featuring live traffic cameras.