New London — With the passage of a state budget and a funding source in place, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Friday announced tentative start dates for work on the Gold Star Bridge, widening of Interstate 95 and replacement of an I-95 bridge in East Lyme spanning Route 161.

Both bridges are structurally deficient and while safe, in need of serious work, according to state Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker. The projects are expected to start no later than 2018.

Malloy returned to the state pier in New London, under the Gold Star Bridge, Friday for a press conference five months after he used the same spot to highlight the importance of investing in transportation infrastructure.

Malloy has made similar visits promoting the passage of the budget and his transportation initiative in other parts of the state.

“These major interstate bridges are an integral part of the southeast region’s transportation network and economy,” Malloy said. “Southeastern Connecticut can’t afford more delays in addressing these issues. That’s why we’re here today.”

State Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, applauded the news of the East Lyme project, something he said he has been fighting for at least five years and a project he lobbied for in the latest legislative session.

Formica said the highway in the area is in need of a tremendous amount of work, especially considering new developments that include Costco and Gateway Commons, a commercial and residential development being developed in the area.

He said developers have already proposed a public-private partnership to straighten the off-ramp and create an access road.

Formica said he envisions a larger bridge which will provide for the widening of the Route 161 and therefore allow for smoother on- and off-ramps. He said the entire stretch of highway to Exit 75 is known as a problem area.

“This is a great project, as much a public safety project as it is an economic development project,” Formica said. “It was something that had to be done at some point in time.”

Complete details of the East Lyme work were not immediately available from the DOT, but Malloy said it will include a new bridge and widening of a stretch of I-95 to include a third travel lane along with new ramps. The project is expected to cost about $50 million, Malloy said.

“That stretch of I-95 is functionally obsolete with two narrow lanes and shoulder widths that are substandard,” Malloy said.

Malloy said the budget passed by the legislature will set aside a half of a percent from state sales taxes to go directly to a special transportation fund. He said he is in favor of the idea of a “lock box,” a fund set aside for transportation using the sales tax money along with money from oil and gas taxes. The lock-box idea may come up for a vote during an upcoming special session of the legislature.

Malloy said it will cost as much as $200 million for rehabilitation of the older northbound side of the Gold Star and about $21 million for less expansive repairs to the southbound side. The Gold Star Bridge is the longest bridge in the state and 110,000 vehicles pass over the bridge every day

State Reps. John Scott, R-Groton, Ernest Hewett, D-New London, Aundré Bumgardner, R-Groton, and City of Groton Mayor Marian Galbraith were among attendees at Friday’s press conference.

Scott said highway improvements benefit economic development in an area partially reliant on tourism. Hewett thanked the governor for having the vision to recognize that the crumbling infrastructure is in need of updating.

g.smith@theday.com

Twitter: @SmittyDay