Gold Star Memorial Bridge - New London CT
Posted by: 
nomadwillie
N 41° 21.826 W 072° 05.349
18T E 743469 N 4583229
Picture taken from Cross Sound Ferry parking lot. The current south span (northbound) of the bridge was completed in 1943. The bridge's second span was completed in 1973. Even though the bridge is twin bridge, it is thought as one.
Waymark Code: WM17CZB
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 01/28/2023
Views: 0
The Gold Star Memorial Bridge is a pair of steel truss bridges that carry both Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1 across the Thames River between New London, Connecticut, US and Groton, Connecticut. The bridge is the largest structure in the state with more than 1,000,000 sq ft (93,000 m2) of deck area, and the longest bridge in the state at 6,000 feet (1,829 m). Its 11 highway lanes accommodate an average daily traffic of 117,000 vehicles. The bridge is actually a set of twin bridges, but they are generally spoken of using the singular "bridge;" the local media and residents refer to it as "The Goldstar".
The current south span (northbound) of the bridge was completed in 1943 as a single span carrying traffic in both directions. As part of the new highway, the bridge's purpose was to remove automobiles from a previous bridge that carried U.S. Route 1 over the Thames River. In 1951, the bridge was designated as the Gold Star Memorial Bridge in honor of members of the Armed Forces from Groton, New London, and Waterford who lost their lives during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
In 1958, the Route 1 bypass containing the Gold Star Bridge was connected to the Connecticut Turnpike by extending west to what is today the interchange of Interstates 95 and 395 in East Lyme. The stretch of I-95 containing the bridge is known as the Jewish War Veterans Memorial Highway. The bridge's second span was completed in 1973.
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