TRAFFIC ALERT: Gold Star Bridge I-95 Project Update

Major Lane Configuration Change Coming May 30-31, 2026
The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Gold Star Bridge project is reaching a critical milestone that will impact I-95 travel for the next four years. Full Details

 

Parking

Parking for Garde events is just steps away from the entrance!

  • FREE street parking on State, Huntington, Meridian, and Union Streets. There is no time limit for on-street parking after 5 pm and on weekends.
  • FREE parking behind the Courthouse (Access via Cottage Street).
  • FREE parking in the Municipal Parking Lot (Eugene O’Neill Drive).
  • FREE parking at the New London Public Library when the library is closed.
    After 7 pm on weekdays, after 5 pm on Saturdays, and after 4 pm on Sundays. 
  • PAID Located just a block away behind the Garde Arts Center on Gov. Winthrop Blvd, the Cornish Parking Garage is fully automated and operational 24 hours a day. Rates vary.
  • PAID parking at the Water Street Parking Garage.

Directions

Garde Arts Center
325 State Street, New London, CT 06320

 

From the Norwich Area:

I-395 South to left Exit 5 at Montville Connector (signs for CT-32/New London). Continue straight onto CT-32. You will pass Connecticut College on the right and the Coast Guard Academy on the left. Take the downtown New London exit. At third light, turn right onto State Street. Continue straight. The Garde Arts Center is on the right.

From the Hartford Area:

RT. 2 South toward Norwich/New London. From RT. 2, take RT. 11 to end; go left onto RT. 82. At the first traffic light, take a right onto RT. 85. Take RT. 85 past Crystal Mall in Waterford. RT. 85 becomes Broad Street in New London. Take Broad Street to the end. Take a right on Huntington Street and then take an immediate left. The Garde Arts Center is on the left.

From Groton, Providence, & North:

I-95 South to the Gold Star Bridge at Groton/New London. Get in the right lane on the bridge. Follow right branch; split immediately over the bridge. Change to the left lane and follow left split to downtown New London. Pass under the pedestrian overpass. Go to second traffic light (State Street). Turn right. Go three blocks. The Garde Arts Center is on the right.

From New Haven & South:

I-95 North to Exit 83 (Downtown New London). The first traffic light is at end of the ramp. Go straight off the ramp onto Huntington Street. Take Huntington Street to fourth traffic light and make left onto State Street. The Garde Arts Center is on the left.

CITY OF NEW LONDON SMART RIDE SHUTTLE SYSTEM

You can be picked up anywhere in New London to go anywhere else in New London, Monday through Saturday from 8 am to Midnight!

The City of New London launched its new NL SmartRide program – an on-demand public transportation service similar to ride-hailing systems like Uber. The program is open to all users and serves the City of New London with a demand response service, Monday – Saturday, between 8:00 AM and Midnight.  Download the SEAT Connect app to schedule your ride!  Please select locations within the city limits of New London; trips that start or end outside of New London will not be accepted.  Use the traditional fixed route bus service for these trips. We only accept cash, 1-Ride Passes and all Token Transit mobile tickets.

Download the Spare Ride app on your phone.

New London Smart Ride Service