Expect Delays: New Q Bridge Span Opens Today

The northbound span of the new 10-lane Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge along Interstate 95 — also known locally as the "Q Bridge" due to crossing over the Quinnipiace River — will open for the first time today.

The opening is of the original schedule.

But the road construction and traffic shift associated with the newly opened lanes will lead to "significant delays" throughout this weekend, according to state Department of Transportation officials.

Ceremonial Opening

To celebrate the opening of the new bridge's northbound lanes to traffic, a will be held today at 10 a.m.

Attending the event will be numerous federal, state and local officials —  including Gov. Dannel Malloy, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and state Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker.

Construction began on the bridge in October 2009. And it is estimated to be completed in June 2015. When all 10 lanes are finally opened, the DOT expects an average of 140,000 cars to travel over the bridge daily.

Motorist Advisory

Today's northbound opening, however, will lead to headaches and delays for drivers all this weekend.

Construction activities necessary to shift traffic onto the bridge’s new northbound lanes will begin tonight at 8 p.m. and are expected to continue until 6 a.m. on Monday morning.

Because of this, state DOT officials are urging motorists to "expect significant delays around the bridge throughout this weekend."

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and consider using alternate routes, which are outlined on the Department of Transportation’s website.

Weekend Traffic Alerts

To help guide drivers, the state DOT has posted a full list of scheduled road closures, detours and expected delays for the weekend on its I95newhaven.com website.

The site is loaded with information about the project as well as maps, videos and other interactive items to advise local motorists.

According to information posted on the site, the expected closures related to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge this weekend are:

• The Wooster Street on-ramp to I-95 NB is scheduled to be closed and detoured 2 PM Saturday, June 23rd, through 10 AM Sunday, June 24th.
• The I-95 NB off-ramp to Woodward Avenue (Exit 50) is scheduled to be closed and detoured 8 PM Friday, June 22nd, through 8 AM Saturday, June 23rd.
• The Long Wharf Drive on-ramp to I-95 NB is scheduled to be closed and detoured 8 PM Friday, June 22nd, through 8 AM Saturday.
• A continuous right hand lane closure on I-95 NB, between Exit 46(Long Wharf Drive) and Exit 50 (Woodward Avenue), is scheduled to occur 8 PM Friday, June 22nd, through 8 AM Saturday, June 23rd.
• A continuous left hand lane closure on I-95 NB, between Exit 46 (Long Wharf Drive) and Exit 48 (I-91 NB Off-Ramp), is scheduled to occur 8 PM Friday, June 22nd, through 8 AM Saturday, June 23rd.
• The I-91 SB ramp to I-95 NB is scheduled to be closed and detoured 6 PM Friday, June 23rd, through 10 AM Sunday, June 24th.
• Continuous left lane closures on I-95 NB, across the old Q Bridge to Exit 50 (Woodward Avenue), are scheduled to occur 8PM Friday, June 22nd, through 8 AM Saturday, June 23rd.
• I-91 SB traffic destined for I-95 NB, Exit 50 will not have access to Woodward Avenue/Port Area (Exit 50) from 8 PM Friday, June 22nd until after 6 PM Saturday, June 23rd.
• Intermittent 10 minute traffic stoppages will occur on the Route 34 EB ramp to I-95 NB from 8 PM Friday, June 22nd until 8 AM Saturday, June 23rd.

Improvement Program

The Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge construction project is part of the I-95 New Haven Harbor Crossing Corridor Improvement Program.

The program features public transit enhancements and roadway improvements along 7.2 miles of I-95, between Exit 46 (Sargent Drive) in New Haven and Exit 54 (Cedar Street) in Branford.

In addition to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge, this includes the new Route 34 Flyover Bridge and reconstruction of the I-95/I-91/Route 34 Interchange, as well as a new Shore Line East commuter rail station at State Street in New Haven.

For questions or more information about the program, call 203-752-1996 or email to info@I95NewHaven.com.