Last Chance: Getting Around North Avenue Construction

No doubt about it, driving on North Avenue is going to be challenging starting this week.

Moving utilities from the North Avenue Bridge over I-95 to a parallel span is moving into the second phase.

Two southbound lanes will be provided on North Avenue. Work will be done from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will continue for 30 days. At that point, a third phase of the project, which will last for 10 days, will consist of work done 24 hours a day. Burling Lane will continue to be closed.

The city is advising motorists that delays will be probable and alternate routes should be used.

Motorists southbound on North Avenue should consider turning right on Lockwood Avenue, then taking Memorial Highway to Division Street.

If you are dropping someone off at the train station, try turning off Huguenot Street onto Bridge Street to the southern entrance on Railroad Avenue. The train station parking lot and the Transit Center garage will continue to be open with access from Division Street via Station Plaza.

Traveling north on North Avenue, there are always Main and Huguenot streets on which to turn. Huguenot will take you to Memorial Highway and Main to River Street, which connects with Memorial Highway where you can turn toward North Avenue on Lincoln Avenue.

For commuters who park in the area, beginning Monday, the city will allow permit holders for the Garden Street North and Garden Street South lots and the Transit Center Garage to park instead on the fifth level of the New Roc Garage Monday through Friday. Tickets will be issued if commuters park on any other level or on weekends. People will be notified when traffic disruption has subsided and permits will no longer be valid at the New Roc Garage.

The project will relocate electric, cable, telephone, water, fiber optic and natural gas lines from the existing bridge to a parallel span built in 2010. Work on the utility lines is expected to be completed by May 2013. Demolition and replacement of the North Avenue Bridge is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2015.

More information about the project is available on the City's Web site.