UPDATE MAY 29, 2026

 

🚨 TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Major I-95 Northbound Traffic Pattern Changes Begin This Weekend 🚨

 

Please be advised of significant, long-term changes coming to I-95 Northbound starting Saturday evening, 5/30/2026, at 8p.m . The Department of Transportation will be implementing the I-95 Northbound Crossover, which will affect travel through New London and Groton for the next four years.

Here is what you need to know to plan your commute:

🚧 Immediate Lane Closures (This Weekend)

 

• When: Saturday, May 30th at 8:00 p.m. through Sunday, May 31st at 8:00 a.m.

   

• What: Lane closures will be required on I-95 NB.

   

• Why: This specific overnight window was carefully selected due to historically low traffic counts, giving contractors the maximum time needed to complete an extensive amount of work in a single shift. Please expect delays and use caution in the work zone.

 

🛣️ The New "Permanent" Traffic Pattern (Starting May 31, 2026) Beginning Sunday, May 31st, the highway will shift into its permanent configuration for the next 4 years. The traffic pattern will be split:

 

• Through Traffic: Two (2) I-95 Northbound through lanes will cross over onto the Southbound bridge.

   

• Local Traffic: Two (2) lanes will remain on the existing Northbound bridge, dedicated strictly to local traffic movements for New London and Downtown Groton.

 

⚠️ CRUCIAL EXIT INFORMATION ⚠️ You must be in the correct lanes to access your exits:

 

• Access to Exit 86: You MUST use the I-95 crossover lanes.

   

• Access to Exit 85: You MUST use the existing Northbound bridge lanes.

 

If you miss your exit, please do not panic or make sudden lane changes. Detours will be permanently signed for all missed-exit scenarios.

 

📹 Video Guides To help you navigate these new changes, please review the newly released detour illustration videos below:

• Detour to Exit 86: Detour to Exit 86
• Detour to Bridge Street, Rt 1 and Rt 12: Detour to Bridge Street, Rt 1 and Rt 12

Please plan ahead, leave extra time for your commute as drivers adjust to the new pattern, and always drive safely!

 

UPDATE MAY 14, 2026

 

IMPORTANT TRAFFIC ALERT: Gold Star Bridge I-95 Project Update

Major Lane Configuration Change Coming May 30-31, 2026

 

The Connecticut Department of Transportation's Gold Star Bridge project is reaching a critical milestone that will impact I-95 travel for the next four years.

OVERNIGHT WORK - SATURDAY, MAY 30TH:

When: Saturday, May 30th, 8:00 PM through Sunday, May 31st, 8:00 AM

What: Installation of the I-95 Northbound Crossover

Impact: Lane closures on I-95 Northbound during this 12-hour window

This date was strategically selected based on the lowest expected traffic volumes and to provide contractors the maximum time needed to complete extensive roadway modifications safely.

NEW PERMANENT TRAFFIC PATTERN - BEGINS MAY 31ST:

Starting Sunday, May 31, 2026, a new four-year traffic configuration will be in effect:

I-95 Northbound Traffic:

• Through Traffic (continuing north): Use 2 lanes that will cross over to the southbound bridge
• Local Traffic (New London/Downtown Groton): Use 2 lanes remaining on the existing northbound bridge

Exit Access Changes:

• Exit 86: Accessible ONLY via the I-95 crossover lanes
• Exit 85: Accessible ONLY via the existing northbound bridge local lanes

PLAN AHEAD:

✅ Know your destination before entering I-95 NB in this area

✅ Allow extra travel time as drivers adjust to the new configuration
✅ Pay attention to signage directing through vs. local traffic
✅ Avoid the area Saturday night/Sunday morning if possible during construction hours

 

Thank you for your patience as we all work together to improve our infrastructure.

 

 

APRIL 14, 2026

Work on the southbound Gold Star Bridge began the week of April 6, 2026, with nighttime closures from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. This traffic pattern will remain in place for the duration of the project. This condition takes the bridge from the 5 existing lanes down to three. This will be in place until the end of 2030.

Northbound work is expected to begin around May 9, 2026. The two main I-95 NB through lanes will cross over through the median and travel on the southbound bridge. The existing northbound structure will be signed for Exit 85 traffic. It will also carry the Route 32 on ramp traffic and the Briggs Street On Ramp over the NB structure. The 2 left SB lanes were closed on April 8 and will remain closed until the end of the project. These 2 lanes will carry 2 NB lanes of traffic once the crossover is fully implemented in May. They were closed now to prepare the lanes to carry the NB traffic (install barrier, line striping, construct and connect the median crossover sections).

Please slow down in work zones, follow posted signage, and be aware that schedules may change due to weather or other delays.

• Project Scope: Rehabilitation of the I-95 Northbound bridge (5,931 feet) including deck replacement, structural steel strengthening, drainage, and lighting improvements.
  
  
• Traffic Impact: The NB bridge lanes will not be reduced until CT DOT is ready to begin the crossover which first requires paving the NB crossover lanes on the SB bridge. Reference attached informational sheet that illustrates the sequence of events required to establish the crossover. Additionally, please view two videos posted on YouTube to explain the purpose and need, and to illustrate the crossover functions. Gold Star Memorial Bridge - YouTube (Also embedded below)
  
  
• Northbound work is expected to begin May 9, 2026. Only two lanes will remain open, with additional traffic crossing over to the southbound bridge.
  
  
•  Crossover Setup: A crossover will be implemented, shifting some northbound traffic onto the southbound bridge, which will be divided by a steel barrier to handle both directions.
  
  
•  Speed Limits: Drivers should expect reduced speed limits of 45 mph through the construction zone. Speed limits will be reduced in both directions for the duration of the crossover.
  
  
•  Duration: Completion projected for Fall 2030

 

 

NOTE: At this time, there are no long-term lane closures planned for any ramps. There will be many nightly closures between 8:00p and 6:00a. There will be minor realignment of the aforementioned ramps but nothing will be a major impact to the traffic movements.