Governor Declares Westchester I-95 Project Completed, Finally

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — The Hudson Valley section of one of the busiest Interstate highways in the U.S. is free from major construction for the first time in years.

The $135 million improvement project on a section of the New England Thruway (I-95) in Westchester County known as the "Last Mile" is now complete, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Monday.

The major infrastructure project began back in 2018.

Over the past three decades, 14 miles of I-95 in the Bronx, Pelham, New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Harrison and Rye have been almost completely reconstructed. The so-called "Last Mile" project focused on the final one-mile stretch from Exit 22 (Port Chester - Rye - Midland Avenue) to the Connecticut state line.

The one-mile stretch of highway sees more than 140,000 motorists each day.

"With investments in critical projects like I-95's Last Mile, we are not only helping bolster New York's economy, but solidifying our role as a national leader in transportation infrastructure," Hochul said. "These corridor improvements are essential in ensuring a safe and reliable highway system for both commuters and visitors to New York."

The massive public works project included a laundry list of safety and traffic improvements:

I-95 Reconstruction
The I-95 mainline (milepost 14.1 to milepost 15.0) in both directions was reconstructed along with wider shoulders, updated pavement markings and the installation of guiderails and barriers.

Ramp Upgrades
The area contains a six-ramp interchange system with the Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287) and Midland Avenue in the City of Rye and Village of Port Chester. Ramps were upgraded and reconfigured to improve traffic flow.

"As someone who has traveled along the New England Thruway for most of my life, I am thrilled to see that we are finally nearing the finish line and completing the 'last mile' on this long-awaited project," Westchester County Executive George Latimer said. "Having represented this very area since before the project's inception almost 20 years ago, I have witnessed all of the difficulties associated with it as well as the solutions that have followed.

The project also included work on several bridges. The Grace Church Street bridge over I-95 was replaced and opened in Sept. 2020. The Boston Post Road bridge, Purchase Street bridge, the Blind Brook culvert bridge and the Byram River bridge were rehabbed .

"The Village of Port Chester is pleased to see the construction of the 'Last Mile' come to a successful end," Village of Port Chester Manager Stuart Rabin said. "The benefits to our residents and neighbors, as well as motorists who visit the Village of Port Chester to conduct commerce with our many restaurant and retail locations, will now be able to travel to and from our village much safer way thanks to all of the upgrades and improvements implemented over the course of the project."