Two Lanes in Each Direction on I-95 Will Close At Night to Safely Facilitate Work Activities Over Next Three Weeks

Overhead Steel Removal Will Require Multiple Traffic Stoppages on I-95 and North Avenue

Motorists are Encouraged to Seek Alternative Routes Around the Work Zone

The New York State Thruway Authority today announced work to remove the rest of the North Avenue bridge over the New England Thruway (I-95) in New Rochelle, Westchester County, is expected to begin on Wednesday, March 12, weather permitting. The demolition work will require overnight lane closures and traffic stops on I-95 and North Avenue and is expected to last approximately three weeks.

In January 2025, the $31.8 million project to replace the North Avenue bridge moved into its next stage of construction. All northbound traffic (heading toward City Hall) is now traveling in the bridge’s new outer lane through the work zone, while all southbound traffic (heading toward Main Street) is being detoured at Lockwood Avenue and directed to Memorial Highway. This traffic pattern will be in place around the clock until later this year to allow the contractor to remove and replace the rest of the old bridge—its center section.

The majority of this stage of construction is occurring during the day however activities, such as the upcoming removal of superstructure elements, will require the work to be done at night. This approach limits the unavoidable impacts to traffic—both on the highway and within the city—and facilitates the safety of the project’s workers and motorists.

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. with full reopening by 5 a.m. New Rochelle police officers and flaggers will direct motorists on North Avenue after 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on most work nights if lane closures are needed.

Over the next three weeks, multiple traffic stops lasting up to 20 minutes will take place concurrently on I-95 and North Avenue allowing cranes to safely load large sections of steel onto flatbed trucks stationed below on the highway. Motorists are encouraged to take alternate routes around the work zone to avoid delays starting after 8 p.m.

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

Variable message signs on North Avenue and in the vicinity will inform motorists if a detour is required.

The North Avenue bridge replacement project began in January 2023. During its 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.

Since the start of this year, contractor crews have 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. Details will be provided in advance of the work.

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. Here’s a summary:

• Southbound motorists should follow the posted detour at Lockwood Avenue, 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 Street to North Avenue are prohibited.
• Burling Lane between North Avenue and May Street is still closed to traffic.
• Two lanes remain open to traffic on Station Plaza North and motorists can continue to turn left or right onto North Avenue.
• 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. When the project is substantially completed later this year, the new modern 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 original North Avenue bridge opened in 1958 and connects North Avenue, Garden Street, Burling Lane, and Station Plaza North.

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

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

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

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

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