Amie

There was a terrible accident a couple of weeks ago with a tanker that burned an I 95 bridge (in Conn, I think). The highway is open again, right? and using a temporary bridge? I have a friend driving NJ to Boston and she would like to know if there is a detour or not.

Thanks.

acervoni

The highway is open again and traffic-logged as usual.

Ryan

I-95 has reopended. However, she might want to plan an alternate route based on the fact that traffic on I-95 in Southern Connecticut can be brutal, especially during rush hour and the weekend.

She might want to take the Henry Hudson to the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut, then connect to I-95 near New Haven.

HowardR

Accident or no accident, Route 84 is a much better route to Boston--Tappan Zee Bridge to 287 to 684 to 84 all the way to Massachusetts Turnpike.

J_Correa

I was actually on the I95 travelling south through Bridgeport when the accident happened. I saw the initial explosion and was stuck on the highway for about an hour before the fire was under control and traffic was able to be diverted off the interstate. It was pretty amazing.

Anyway, I ended up taking the Merrit Parkway once I got off the I95, and from what I could tell, it looked like a really nice route - it was dark by that time, so I couldn't see much, but there were lots of trees along the side of the road and stone overpasses.

If I am in the area again, I think I will just go with the Merrit Parkway and skip I95 if I can.

rkkwan

I used to live in RI, and on my trips to NYC, I usually just stick with I-95. My problem with the Merritt is that when traffic gets somewhat heavy, it can get pretty slow. With just two lanes, if you get two cars going side by side at 50MPH, you'll never get through.

And so many drivers who see all those yellow caution signs before every turn, and decide that he/she's going to crash going 50MPH. Plus, beware of cars merging onto the Parkway. There's little to now merge areas.

Finally, traffic on I-95 usually clears after getting into NY state, while you can run into traffic on the Hutchison River Pkwy. May not save you time.

I-84 may be better some times, but there can also be some slowdowns at Danbury, Waterbury and Hartford.

In short, there's no "much better" route betwen NY and Boston. It's basically "pick your poison".

Dick

An EZ Pass will make the toll plazas more tolerable. The pass can easily cut a half hour or more off the trip from MD to Boston

HowardR

Traffic or no, either way, Route 84 saves at least a half hour between NY and Boston. (You'd hit the same possible traffic delay in Hartford taking the I95-I91 route!)
As for tolls, the only ones you hit after the Tappan Zee Bridge are entering and leaving the Massachusetts Turnpike. (But, don't get me wrong, EZ Pass is indeed a great timesaver between New York and DC)

carbogilligan

I agree with HowardR. Tappan Zee to 684 to 84 to the Mass Pike! A great drive!

AHaugeto

Agreed about using 84 instead BUT...do tell your friend to start listening to 880 AM or 1010 WINS once she is in the North Jersey area to hear the traffic reports every ten minutes. They can really save you, especially if you have two options laid out, like you do here.