The purpose of this project is to increase structural capacity to allow permit vehicles (oversized vehicles) to travel over the bridge and to restore the bridge to a condition rating of “satisfactory”.
Structural Deterioration
- The current bridge deck is 55 years old and needs replacement. Replacing it will extend the bridge’s lifespan, ensure it meets today’s more rigorous strength standards and restore the load capacity for permit vehicles.
- Bridge superstructure requires structural repairs to increase its load rating to meet current standards and extend the service life of the bridge.
- Bridge substructures require preservation work to maintain a state of good repair and ensure it remains safe and reliable.
Permit Vehicle Access
- The current bridge load capacity prevents permit vehicle crossings, causing a detour for these vehicles.
- Strengthen and repair structural steel members in the girder spans
- Replace select bearings on the girder spans and select bearing on the truss spans
- Replace existing bridge deck joints
- Replace existing parapet and fence with MASH compliant 3-rail steel barrier and stainless-steel mesh fence
- Replace concrete approach slabs
- Repair concrete substructures
- Install new bridge lighting
- Replace overhead sign structures
- Full superstructure painting
Construction began in early 2026 and will be completed by Fall 2030.
Travel lanes on the Northbound bridge will be reduced to two lanes. A traffic cross-over will be implemented to share lanes on the current southbound bridge to help accommodate the northbound traffic flow from the reduced number of lanes on the northbound bridge.
The rehabilitation work will be completed in two main stages in an effort to minimize disruption to the traveling public.
- Stage 1 consists of work on the outer sections of the bridge deck.
- Stage 2 consists of work along the center section of the bridge deck.
The project limits include the entire 6,000-foot length of the bridge over the Thames River in New London and Groton.
Yes, there will be ramp closures and temporary, short-term local road closures.
Project ramp closures and detours will be communicated on our website as well as social media outlets.
The contract was awarded to MSR Gold Star Bridge Partners for $721,348,812.07 on October 3, 2025. Funding includes a $158.2 million grant from the Bridge Investment Project, with the remaining funds coming from a combination of federal and state sources.
Questions and/or concerns should be sent to DOT.GoldStarBridgeProjects@ct.gov.
Claims for damage and/or personal injuries which occurred within the Gold Star Memorial Bridge Northbound Rehabilitation Project Limits because of some action or inaction of the Project Team, can be submitted by sending written notice that includes the following information:
1. Claimant’s name, address, and telephone number
2. A description of the accident giving rise to the claim, and must include the date and time of the occurrence; the precise location within the Gold Star Memorial Bridge Northbound Rehabilitation Project limits (e.g., nearest highway entrance/exit ramp or other marker); and information that will help justify reason for claim, i.e., photos of damage, copy of police report, if available
3. A description of damage and/or personal injuries suffered.
Written notice should be directed to:
Connecticut Department of Transportation
Attn: Claims Unit
P.O. Box 317546
Newington, CT 06131-7546
The project team has developed traffic management and incident response plans in coordination with local and state emergency responders, law enforcement, and towing services. If an incident occurs, trained personnel will respond quickly to provide assistance and safely manage traffic through the work zone.
Message signs, traffic cameras, and project communication channels may be used to provide real-time information and alternate route guidance when necessary.
The safety of motorists, emergency responders, and construction personnel remains the highest priority throughout the project.
The traffic patterns for both sides of the Gold Star bridge were carefully selected by the Department to balance the structural needs of the northbound bridge. The northbound Gold Star bridge simply cannot support any additional loads like construction material and construction equipment while supporting the five (5) lanes of existing traffic. In addition, the removal and full replacement of the bridge deck require the removal of the existing travel lanes. Reducing the northbound bridge down to two (2) lanes of traffic, also allows the contractor access to the work. Due to the significant heights of the Gold Star bridges, work cannot be fully performed from the ground. Construction work must be performed from the bridge deck roadway surface.
Several alternatives were evaluated before selecting the current configuration. The current traffic pattern is the only configuration that reduces the loading on the northbound Gold Star bridge. This is a critical safety requirement.
A Smart Work-Zone detection system is in place to monitor traffic operations and provide driver feedback.
Yes, the southbound bridge is the newer bridge and has already been strengthened. There have always been five (5) lanes of traffic on the southbound bridge. This new traffic pattern still maintains five (5) lanes of traffic. The fact that two of the lanes are for northbound traffic does not increase the traffic loads on the bridge.
A Smart Work-Zone detection system has been installed to monitor traffic operations and provide driver feedback. A live traffic map is being developed to provide current traffic conditions on the project.
The speed limit was reduced to improve safety for both motorists and construction personnel traveling and working within the project area. Lower speeds provide motorists with additional time to react to changing roadway conditions.
The reduced speed limit is a standard work zone safety measure and was established based on engineering evaluations of the temporary traffic configuration. Drivers are encouraged to obey the posted speed limit, remain alert, and follow all signs while traveling through the construction zone. The 45 MPH speed limit will be strictly enforced by State Police and speed detection cameras.
Yes. The project team has worked with various mapping and navigation providers to get the latest traffic updates and changes. However, most GPS and navigation applications, such as Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze, update their routing information independently and may not appear immediately when a new traffic configuration is implemented. A smartphone, internet connection or subscription service is necessary to receive these updates.
GPS services that are not connected to the internet, smartphone or a paid subscription will not receive these updates.
Motorists should pay close attention to posted signs, message boards, and other traffic control devices when traveling through the work zone, even if directions provided by a navigation app differ from what is signed in the field.
For the most current information about traffic pattern changes, lane closures, and construction activities, travelers are encouraged to visit our website and follow project communications.