The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct a hybrid public information meeting (in-person and virtual) concerning pedestrian improvements on the Southbound Gold Star Memorial Bridge and both approaches in New London and Groton on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
The hybrid public information meeting is being held to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the proposed project. The meeting will be held in-person in the New London City Hall Building at 181 State Street in New London. The meeting will also take place on Zoom (registration required) and livestreamed on YouTube. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation. For instructions on accessing the meeting and ways to provide comments and ask questions, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DOTGoldStar94-267VPIM.
“The Gold Star Bridge is a vital structure for New London and Groton residents and major employers, as well as freight movement along I-95. The existing sidewalk and approaches require improvements to support and promote non-motorized travel across the Thames River and connect to other multi-modal systems in New London and Groton,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Project Manager Tracey Brais. “We encourage the public to attend this meeting to share their feedback with the CTDOT project team to incorporate into the final design.”
The Gold Star Memorial Bridge is a key connection between New London and Groton for pedestrians and cyclists across the Thames River. Currently, the only way to travel between cities by non-vehicular modes, is via a five-foot wide sidewalk adjacent to the right I-95 Southbound travel lane on the Gold Star Southbound bridge. This Shared Use Path (SUP) connection across the Thames River has been in regional and state plans for a long time, with the goal of improving the safety and accessibility of the non-motorized traveling public between New London and Groton. The project consists of widening the existing sidewalk on the Southbound Gold Star Bridge and east and west approaches to the bridge, as well as adding a spur path that connects to Williams Street in New London and reconfiguring the Bridge Street intersection in Groton.
There are right-of-way impacts associated with the proposed improvements. Temporary easements are anticipated for construction access. No permanent right-of-way impacts are anticipated.
Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2028 based on the availability of funding, acquisition of rights of way, and approval of permits. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $55.5 million. This project is anticipated to be undertaken using 90% federal funds and 10% state funds.
Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (877) 853-5257 and enter Meeting ID 852 7950 4911. Individuals with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Individuals with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting Tracey Brais at DOT.GoldStarBridgeProjects@ct.gov or (860) 594-3171.
Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.
The meeting will be hosted in-person in the New London City Hall Building at 181 State Street in New London and virtually on Zoom. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the CTDOT YouTube channel; no registration is required. Non-English language closed captioning will be available on Zoom and YouTube. The recording will also be posted immediately following the meeting in the list of CTDOT virtual public meetings at portal.ct.gov/ctdotVPIMarchive.
Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by July 8, 2024, to DOT.GoldStarBridgeProjects@ct.gov and (860) 594-2020. Please reference State Project No. 0094-0267 in the email or voicemail.