Work Continues on I-95 Bridges Replacement in West Haven With Speed Cameras Activated at Exit 43

The Interstate 95 bridge replacement and traffic flow improvement project in West Haven continues to advance as a long-term infrastructure upgrade aimed at replacing aging highway structures and easing one of Connecticut’s busiest commuter corridors. The $136 million initiative is led by the Connecticut Department of Transportation in partnership with contractor The Middlesex Corporation, with substantial federal and state funding supporting the effort.

Two major bridges carrying I-95 traffic over 1st Avenue and the Metro-North Railroad tracks are being fully reconstructed, replacing structures that have served the region for more than 70 years. Once complete, the new bridges are expected to provide a service life of at least 75 years, significantly improving safety, durability, and long-term reliability along the corridor.

The project sits on a critical stretch of Interstate 95 in West Haven, where daily traffic volumes exceed 140,000–145,000 vehicles, often resulting in severe peak-hour congestion.

Project scope and long-term improvements

Beyond bridge replacement, the work includes a broader redesign of the highway geometry to improve traffic flow and reduce chronic bottlenecks. Key upgrades include:

Reconstruction of two aging bridge structures over 1st Avenue and the Metro-North rail line
Expansion of southbound capacity between Exit 44 and Exit 43 through an added auxiliary lane
Redesign of merge areas to improve on- and off-ramp efficiency
Drainage, lighting, and roadside infrastructure upgrades along more than 2,000 feet of approach roadway

State officials, including Governor Ned Lamont and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal Richard Blumenthal, have described the project as both a safety investment and a long-term economic infrastructure upgrade supporting regional mobility and construction employment.

Local leaders, including West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer Dorinda Borer, have emphasized the importance of the project in addressing persistent congestion and improving daily travel reliability for commuters.

Construction staging and traffic management

To keep I-95 operational throughout construction, the project is being delivered in carefully sequenced phases. Traffic management measures are designed to maintain flow even during peak work periods:

Three travel lanes are maintained in each direction during daytime operations
Nighttime lane shifts and intermittent closures are used for demolition and structural work
The Exit 43 northbound on-ramp closure and detours were introduced to support major bridge and median construction activities
Traffic patterns are continuously adjusted to balance safety and mobility across the corridor

These measures are intended to limit disruptions while allowing major structural components to be rebuilt safely over active highway and rail corridors.

Speed cameras introduced in active work zone

A notable recent development is the activation of automated speed enforcement cameras at the Exit 43 work zone. Introduced on June 1, 2026, the system is designed to improve safety for both motorists and construction crews during active construction phases.

Drivers exceeding the posted speed limit by 10 mph or more may receive automated warnings during the initial rollout period, followed by enforceable citations beginning in July 2026. Officials describe the system as a targeted safety measure rather than a revenue initiative, focused on reducing speeding-related risks in narrowed work zones.

Outlook through 2027

The project remains on track for substantial completion by late 2027. As construction continues, the corridor is expected to experience ongoing lane shifts and periodic ramp modifications, but overall capacity will be preserved to maintain traffic flow.

Once completed, the upgraded I-95 corridor in West Haven is expected to significantly improve reliability, reduce congestion at key merge points, and provide a more resilient infrastructure backbone for one of New England’s most heavily traveled highway segments.

The West Haven I-95 corridor upgrade is part of a wider set of major transportation investments across Connecticut aimed at modernizing heavily used interstate networks and reducing long-standing congestion points. A similar large-scale effort is currently underway in Meriden, where work has begun on the $721 million I-91/I-691/Route 15 interchange improvements project, designed to overhaul a complex highway junction, improve traffic flow between multiple routes, and enhance overall regional connectivity.

West Haven’s 70-Year-Old I-95 Bridges Being Replaced in $136M Project

I-95 Bridges Replacement Project — West Haven: Factsheet

Project Overview

Location: West Haven, Connecticut
Corridor: Interstate 95 (over 1st Avenue & Metro-North Railroad)
Project Type: Full bridge replacement + traffic flow improvements
Agency: Connecticut Department of Transportation Connecticut Department of Transportation
Contractor: The Middlesex Corporation
Total Cost: $136 million
Funding Split: 90% federal / 10% state
Completion Target: Late 2027

Infrastructure Scope

Replacement of two 70+ year-old bridges
New structures designed for 75+ year service life
Widening and reconfiguration of key highway segments
Extension of southbound auxiliary lane between Exit 44 and Exit 43
Improved merge geometry at ramps and chokepoints
Drainage, lighting, and roadway modernization upgrades
Over 2,000 feet of approach roadway improvements

Traffic & Usage

Part of Interstate 95
Approx. 140,000–145,000 vehicles daily
One of the most congested commuter corridors in Connecticut

Construction Phasing & Traffic Management

Project delivered in multi-phase construction sequence
3 lanes maintained in each direction during daytime
Nighttime lane shifts and intermittent closures expected
Exit 43 northbound ramp closure implemented for median and structural work
Detours routed via nearby state highways
Continuous traffic pattern adjustments throughout construction

Safety Enhancements

Automated speed enforcement cameras activated at Exit 43 work zone
Activation date: June 1, 2026
Warning phase followed by citation enforcement starting July 2026
Speed threshold: 10 mph over posted limit triggers enforcement

Key Benefits

Replaces structurally obsolete bridges
Reduces long-standing congestion bottlenecks
Improves merging safety and traffic flow efficiency
Strengthens long-term regional mobility and freight movement
Supports construction jobs and local economic activity

Construction Review