I-95 project in N.Y. to affect Greenwich
GREENWICH — As work begins on a major reconstruction project on Interstate 95 just over the border in New York, Connecticut state and town leaders are working to mitigate its impacts on Greenwich.
Construction began last week on the so-called “last mile” of I-95 in Port Chester and Rye, N.Y., following earlier reconstruction work on the other 14 miles of the New England Thruway that runs through Westchester County, N.Y.
The west end of Greenwich is likely to experience heavier traffic conditions because of the construction, authorities say.
The $135 million project will include the realignment of the Midland Avenue entrance and exit ramp in Port Chester. Officials who have been briefed on the project say the closure of the Midland Avenue ramp will send motorists looking to shop in Port Chester to the next exit — the Delavan Avenue ramp in Greenwich — and driving through Byram.
The village of Port Chester has a large retail sector, including Home Depot and Costco stores.
State Rep. Mike Bocchino, R-150, sent an advisory to his constituents about the roadwork. “I thought it was important for everyone to understand this was taking place,” he said.
Bocchino said he was trying to gather as much information as possible on the highway construction. After making contact with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Bocchino said one question was paramount: “Has there been any discussion of the increase in traffic that will be on local roads in Greenwich, specifically Byram, during the closure of the Midland Avenue exit in New York?”
Bocchino said he hasn’t gotten specific projections or estimates, but he said there is a sense that the west end of Greenwich will be seeing more traffic. “The impact it’s going to have in the Greenwich area is going to be substantial,” he said.
New York state transportation officials have not announced when the Midland Avenue work will begin. Bocchino said detour plans were being formulated.
Emergency services in Greenwich are also formulating a plan to deal with extra traffic on I-95 and local streets.
“We’ve reached out to the states of Connecticut and New York so we can develop contingency plans,” said police spokesman Lt. John Slusarz. “It’s going to affect traffic going through Greenwich, and how we respond to incidents on I-95. We expect there will probably be more traffic on local roads.”
The fire and emergencymedical services are also taking part in the planning.
Bocchino said he was looking for good communication with the New York state DOT as work proceeds. “We really need to be in contact with the New York state DOT, stay in the loop, so we can coordinate,” he said.
Commuters headed to work in Greenwich from other points in the region can also expect delays.
The “last mile” work is set to be completed by early 2021.
The reconstruction project will include the replacement of the Cross Westchester Expressway ramp bridge as well as the Grace Church Street bridge over the Thruway.
The Byram River bridge leading into Greenwich will also be resurfaced. Bocchino said he wanted to find out whether the Connecticut side of the bridge could also be repaved.
The reconstruction will widen I-95 southbound into Port Chester to provide a two-lane exit ramp to I-287 westbound.
The project began during the week of Aug. 27 with work on the Grace Church Street Bridge in Port Chester.
According to New York State Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Matthew Driscoll, the work will be a benefit for the region.
“This comprehensive project will benefit the thousands of motorists who travel this stretch of I-95 every day and improve the quality of life for residents who live nearby, bringing the roadway to modern standards and increasing safety,” he said in a statement.