NEW LONDON — Drivers using Crystal Avenue near the Gold Star Memorial Bridge should prepare for a detour beginning Tuesday, October 27. A section beneath the bridge near Lewis Street is scheduled to close to through traffic through Friday, November 13, according to Connecticut Department of Transportation and New London Police notices.
The temporary closure is part of Project 0094-0261, rehabilitation of the bridge carrying I-95 northbound across the Thames River. The notice concerns a local street beneath the bridge; it does not announce a full closure of the I-95 crossing.
Residents and businesses will retain local access within the affected section. State Pier Road will remain open throughout the detour, and pedestrians will have a continuous path at least four feet wide, CTDOT says.
Both agencies advise motorists to use the posted detour signs rather than rely on GPS directions, which may not reflect the temporary restriction. Police recommend allowing extra travel time and avoiding the area when possible, particularly during busy travel periods.
The police notice says emergency services, transit providers and city officials were notified in advance and that emergency response will not be affected.
The published notices identify the closure area and dates but do not give a daily start or end hour in their readable text. Drivers should follow on-site signs and check the CTDOT project page for changes rather than assume a specific reopening hour.
This report was prepared from the agencies’ published notices; Eastern CT News did not independently inspect the work zone.
Photo: An aerial file photograph of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge provided with the state’s May5,2026 rehabilitation announcement. It does not show the October Crystal Avenue closure. Source: State of Connecticut / Office of the Governor.