Design and construction of a replacement bridge commenced in 1939, due to concerns that the original bridge would not hold up to extra loading and traffic caused by transport demands of World War II. Work commenced on the new bridge in July 1940 and despite best efforts it was not completed until after the war finished, opening for traffic on 1 July 1946. The new bridge was positioned to the west or upstream of the original bridge and consists of eight spans in three different lengths and piers sunk to depths of up to . New tunnels were bored through Long Island to the south and Cogra Point on the northern approach.