replacement of the over the river willis avenue bridge

Boroughs of and September 2007 – December 2012

New York City Michael R. Bloomberg Department of Transportation Mayor Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner Bridge History and Project Overview

New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) is replacing the Willis Avenue Bridge over the , including the Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) Drive approach ramp and the ramp onto Bruckner Boulevard. NYCDOT will also reconstruct Willis Avenue over the Major Deegan Expressway for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT).

Constructed in 1901, the bridge is used by over 70,000 vehicles daily. The bridge is a swing-type, movable bridge that opens when marine vessels need to pass. The original Willis Avenue Bridge exhibits the effects of age, weather and the continual, daily usage by motor vehicles.

NYCDOT has planned the new bridge to be constructed adjacent to and just south of the existing bridge. Thus, traffic, including the BX-15 bus, can continue to use the current bridge until the new bridge opens, resulting in limited impact to motorists and nearby communities. Throughout the project, little impact to marine traffic will be experienced. The new swing span is being fabricated and assembled off site, and will be floated into place once the foundations, center pier and rest piers are ready to receive it. Project completion is scheduled for the end of 2012.

Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge |  Bridge Safety

During construction, while the existing bridge is in use, NYCDOT will continue to inspect it every six months. In addition, necessary repairs to the existing bridge will continue to be made until the new bridge is in use.

New Bridge Benefits

l The new bridge will be built to current design standards; non standard, tight curves will be eliminated, including the difficult “S” turn onto the bridge in Manhattan. The improved roadway approach to the bridge in Manhattan will result in better traffic flow

l a direct connection to the northbound Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx will be constructed

l There will be wider travel lanes with shoulders, and a broader, combined pedestrian/bicycle pathway along the north side of the bridge

l New, tested and inspected materials will be used including placement of a solid riding surface on the swing span instead of the open grating deck currently in use. In addition, modern electrical, mechanical and communications systems will be installed

l a symbolic portion of the historic original Willis Avenue Bridge will be retained in place as a monument to the bridge in Harlem River Park

 | Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge |  Construction will proceed in five stages [The extent of construction is detailed and complex; therefore, periodic communications will be provided to the public in advance of each stage of work.] Preconstruction During this phase, the contractor will mobilize on site, order necessary supplies and equipment, /Mobilization 9 mos. provide shop drawings and make roadway repairs. The FDR Drive’s exit ramp will be /Mobilization closed so the contractor may safely install sheeting and prepare for construction activities nearby. Preconstruction STAGE 1 9 mos. 18 mos. /MobilizationSTAGE 1 The contractor will build portions of the new off-ramp flowing to the Bronx, lay foundations Preconstruction 8 mos. for the new bridge on land and in the water, requiring off peak closures of FDR/Harlem River STAGE 2A 9 mos. 18 mos. STAGE/Mobilization 1 Drive (HRD) and work in the median. 1 weekend PreconstructionSTAGE 2B 8 mos. STAGE 2A 9 mos. 18 mos. STAGE/Mobilization 1 8 mos. The contractor will construct a temporary loop ramp to access the existing bridge from the FDR STAGE 3 1 weekend STAGEPreconstruction 2B 8 mos. Drive. Also the contractor will construct one-half of the viaduct in the Bronx for traffic exiting at STAGE 2A 9 mos. 18 mos. 2 mos. Willis Avenue and build a portion of the ramp to Bruckner Boulevard. /MobilizationSTAGE 14 8 mos. STAGE 3 1 weekend STAGEPreconstruction 2B 8 mos. 4 mos. STAGE 2A5A 9 mos. 18 mos. 2 mos. In the borough of Manhattan, the contractor will finish, pave and stripe the loop ramp onto STAGE/Mobilization 41 8 mos. the bridge. Access to the bridge from will be closed during this weekend. Traffic STAGE 3 1 weekend 12 mos. STAGEPreconstruction 2B5B 8 mos. 4 mos. will thereafter access the bridge via the loop ramp from the FDR Drive. STAGE 5A2A 18 mos. 2 mos. STAGEPreconstruction 41 9 mos. 8 mos. /Mobilization 9 mos. 1 weekend /MobilizationSTAGEContract 3 8 mos. 12 mos. The contractor will demolish the existing FDR Drive ramp and construct the southerly half of STAGEContract 5B2B 4 mos. 2 mos. STAGECompletion 5A2A 18 mos. 2 mos. 2 mos. the First Avenue approach. Traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed Bruckner Boulevard STAGECompletion 41 18 mos. 8 mos. STAGE 31 1 weekend 12 mos. ramp via a cross over. Most of the existing Bruckner Boulevard ramp will be demolished. ContractSTAGE 5B2B 8 mos. 4 mos. STAGE 5A2A 8 mos. 2 mos. 2 mos. CompletionSTAGE 42A 8 mos. The contractor will float in the new swing span, complete building the deck, install machinery STAGE 3 1 weekend 12 mos. ContractSTAGE 5B2B 4 mos. and perform electrical work, and complete the southerly half of the Bronx viaduct to Willis STAGE 5A2B 1 weekend 2 mos. 2 mos. CompletionSTAGE 4 8 mos. Avenue and the Bruckner Boulevard ramp. 12 mos. STAGEContractSTAGE 5B3 8 mos. 4 mos. STAGE 35A 2 mos. CompletionSTAGE 4 2 mos. Traffic will now flow across the new bridge. Pedestrian access will be maintained utilizing a ContractSTAGE 4 2 mos. 12 mos. temporary pedestrian crossover in Manhattan and the Bronx. The temporary loop ramp will STAGE 5B 4 mos. 2 mos. CompletionSTAGE 5A 4 mos. be demolished; the northern half of the abutment will be constructed, and the existing swing STAGE 5A span will be floated away. Contract 12 mos. STAGE 5B 12 mos. 2 mos. STAGECompletion 5B The remaining portions of the access ramps in Manhattan and the Bronx will be constructed Contract and demolition activities for the remnants of the old bridge will be performed. Final restoration Contract Completion 2 mos. will be accomplished and new permanent signs installed. Completion 2 mos. During this phase, the contractor and NYCDOT will finalize operations training, complete 2010 2009 2011 2012 2011 Y 2008 Y 2011 Y C 2009 C 2012 C P 2007 P 2010 P N 2008 N 2011 N A A OV 2011 CT OV 2012 CT OV E E E E inspections of equipment and provide remaining contract closeout activities. PR 2011 PR U U UL S M J N AUG A M J J O N O N S D D

 | Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge |  replacement of willis avenue bridge

The Willis Avenue Bridge Project map below shows the configuration for using the current bridge while the new bridge is under construction. The new bridge will be built to the south.

Temporary Loop Ramp (to be removed after construction)

MANHATTAN EXISTING BRIDGE

FIRST AVENUE THE BRONX

HARLEM RIVER YARD

REPLACEMENT N.B. BRIDGE IVE DR DR WILLIS AVENUE F HARLEM

RIVER

D

R

VA

LE

OU

B

CKNER

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BR

 | Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge |  Travel During Construction e u n

W e . 15 ay v A Pedestrians and Bicyclists – will follow a protected, detoured route across the existing Willis 5th e

pw m S ro Avenue Bridge until the new bridge is completed and new pavement is placed. t. Je Macombs Dam Bus and Subway Passengers – will not have their customary travel patterns interrupted. The Bridge THE BRONX BX 15 bus, which transports passengers eastbound along 125th Street in Manhattan, and terminates at Fordham Plaza in the Bronx, will continue to use the Willis Avenue Bridge and will W . 14 Ex Deegan Major not be rerouted during construction. The 4, 5 and 6 subways will operate as usual. The closest 5th 145th St. S t. Bridge Closed station stops are 125th Street in Manhattan, and Third Avenue/138th Street or 138th Street/

Grand Concourse in the Bronx. For information, go to www.mta.info or phone (718) 330-1234 . E. 14 ve ve 9th A between 6AM and 10PM. e. St.

nth Av x ve Madison Ave.

Motorists – have choices. Because major construction projects typically cause traffic delays, no FDR Dri Se Bridge Le motorists in Manhattan proceeding to the Bronx may wish to use alternate bridge crossings. e. Av E. 13 rd 8th Here are alternate travel suggestions: i St MANHATTAN Th . l Motorists on FDR Drive northbound and traveling north on local streets (from south of e. Third Ave. Av 125th Street) should continue to use the Willis Avenue Bridge route or the Bridge (toll) to the Bronx Willis E. 12 Willis Ave. l Motorists between 125th and 145th Streets may prefer to use the Madison Avenue 5th S Bridge t. ge Bridge or the newly constructed route to local streets in the Bronx e. under Av construction . h Brid l Motorists above 145th Street may use the reconstructed route e ug Av o

Madison rd i . bor NYC Marathon – will not be impacted. As part of its route, runners will continue to use the e i Th Tr Av current bridge each year until the new bridge is completed. t rs Fi

 | Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge |  Hours of work Mitigation Measures The NYCDOT has taken measures to reduce disturbance and inconvenience to the nearby Construction activities are normally conducted on Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM community in the Bronx and Manhattan. to 3:30 PM. The schedule requirements and the nature of certain construction activities l Traffic Enforcement Agents are utilized to direct traffic and assist pedestrians that need to run continuously necessitate a substantial amount of work outside normal l variable Message boards and construction detour signs are utilized to alert motorists to working hours. Night work, lane restrictions on the FDR Drive, the HRD and the Major construction detours and alternative routes Deegan Expressway will be required for safety reasons. Community notification will be l NYCDOT Engineer’s Field Office at the bridge continuously monitors the project provided in advance. l a Community Liaison is available to provide information regarding the project, and to answer questions

Expediting the Work l Public Information will regularly provide updates to the public regarding construction activities

To expedite completion of the project and minimize the impact to the community and to the l The contractor must minimize noise by using best available technology traveling public, there are significant liquidated damages in the construction contract that l Traffic will be maintained by off-line bridge replacement specify particular milestones for completion.

Existing Swing Span New Swing Span

10 | Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge | 11 For More information Project Team

Please call 311 for additional information, to report a problem or to register a comment. The Owner, Willis Avenue Bridge - NYCDOT Division of Bridges 311 system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For updates, check NYCDOT’s Owner, Willis Avenue Bridge over Major Deegan Expressway – NYSDOT Region 11 website at www.nyc.gov/dot. NYCDOT also has a community liaison, Martha M. Holstein of Designer for NYCDOT – Hardesty & Hanover LLP Strategic Urban Solutions, Inc., who will work with you. Contact her at (718) 219-1606 or by Designer for NYSDOT – STV, Inc email at [email protected] Prime Contractor – Kiewit Constructors Inc/Weeks Marine Inc. Joint Venture Resident Engineering Consultant – Willis Avenue Bridge Company

12 | Replacement of the Willis Avenue Bridge