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Home , Cross Bronx Expressway, Harlem Line, Henry Hudson Parkway, Macombs Dam, Macombs Dam Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge

SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVES AND ALTERNATIVE PACKAGES

1.0 INTRODUCTION § Description of Alternative § Disadvantages of Alternative § Areas of Focus § Responsible Agencies A multi-step screening process was formulated for Arterial Needs Major Investment Study (BAN § Accompanying Figures § Implementation Time Frame MIS) to develop and evaluate potential alternatives and alternative packages that would address the major § Modes Benefited by Alternative § Possible Combination of Alternatives deficiencies in the and Major Deegan Expressway corridors. The following process § Study Goals Targeted by Alternative § Recommendations provided a basis for decision-making regarding the numerous transportation suggestions, options, alternatives § Advantage of Alternative and packages while maintaining the integrity of the study goals and objectives:

§ Identify needs and establish study goals The Fact Sheets were presented in the following sequence in the document “Potential Alternatives and § Assemble a list of suggestions and improvement options Alternative Packages, March 2002”: § Conduct a four-tier qualitative screening analysis of the suggestions and improvement options § Conduct a comparative analysis of the potential improvements that progressed through the screening No. 1: No Build Alternative analysis § Develop alternative packages from those projects selected to advance in the BAN MIS No. 2: Transportation System Management (TSM) and Travel Demand Management (TDM) Improvements § Evaluate alternative packages relative to each other and to the no-build alternative (the condition in the No. 3: Improvements in Cross Bronx Expressway Corridor build year if nothing occurs except currently programmed and funded projects) No. 4: Diversion

The step-by-step process can be viewed in Figure 1. The study has progressed through the development of No. 5: Mainline Improvements on Major Deegan Expressway, South of alternative packages. No. 6: Interchange Improvements in Major Deegan Expressway Corridor

Due to the multi-modal nature of this project, there are a number of agencies with jurisdiction for many of the No. 7: Service Roads in Major Deegan Expressway Corridor improvement alternatives. For this reason, several coordination meetings were held with these agencies to No. 8: Improvements at Highbridge Interchange review and discuss the alternatives within their jurisdiction. At the end of this document, there are th th recommendations for up to three, multi-modal improvement packages for more detailed analysis (Section No. 9: Restoration of Trans- Expressway Tunnels under W. 178 and W. 179 Streets 3.0). These recommendations are based on the feedback received at the meetings with these agencies as well No. 10: Decking Segments of the Cross Bronx Expressway as the input received from the Steering Committee and Working Groups. These recommendations were No. 11: Connector Roads in Cross Bronx Expressway Corridor presented for review by the Steering Committee and Working Groups before a decision was made of the final packages to evaluate. No. 12: High Quality Bus Rapid Transit Facility on Cross Bronx Expressway Connector Roads No. 13: Pedestrian and Bicyclist Improvements in the Bronx

2.0 POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE FACT SHEETS No. 14: Enhanced Bus Network Serving the Bronx No. 15: Enhanced Subway Service in the Bronx The development of the following list of Fact Sheets was based on the twenty-seven potential alternatives that No. 16: Enhanced MTA Metro-North Railroad Service in the Bronx passed the multi-tiered screening process. This process is documented in “Framework for Developing and Evaluating Potential Alternatives and Alternative Packages, August 2001.” No. 17: Inter-Modal Hub near New MTA Metro-North Railroad Station at No. 18: Bronx-Based Ferry Service The fact sheets and conceptual plans focused on improvement alternatives for the two primary corridors, Cross Bronx Expressway and Major Deegan Expressway, and addressed concerns with traffic operations and No. 19: Park-And-Ride Facilities in Northern Bronx and Southern Westchester County safety, transit services, goods movement, and bicycle and pedestrian mobility in these congested No. 20: Goods Movement in the Bronx corridors. In addition, special consideration was given to the Highbridge Interchange area, which provides a connection between the Cross Bronx and Major Deegan expressways. This area extends along the Trans- No. 21: Priority Treatment for Trucks on the Cross Bronx Expressway Manhattan Expressway/Cross Bronx Expressway from Henry Hudson to and along No. 22: Value Pricing at Existing Toll Bridges Serving the Bronx the Major Deegan Expressway from the Highbridge Interchange to Bridge. The area also includes connections with the Bridge, and the upper of Manhattan, River Drive, Washington Bridge, Amsterdam Avenue and Jerome Avenue The Fact Sheets are not included in this summary document. For more information, contact State Department of Transportation (Region 11) by clicking on Contact Information on the For each Fact Sheet, the following information and evaluation criteria were provided: BAN MIS website.

Bronx Arterial Needs Major Investment Study 1

FIGURE 1 3.0 RECOMMENDATION OF ALTERNATIVE PACKAGES ALTERNATIVES DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION PROCESS This section presents three alternative packages of multi-modal improvements for review by the BAN MIS Steering Committee and Working Groups. Based on comments received, these three packages will be refined and subjected to further analysis and evaluation using the modeling tools developed for this study. (In

Define Needs and addition, a separate package of Transportation System Management (TSM) and Travel Demand Management Establish Goals (TDM) improvements was developed and is presented in Fact Sheet No. 2. The potential benefits of these improvements relative to the long-term needs are expected to be limited and are not included in the following three alternative packages.)

Compile List of The three alternative packages are recommended based on preliminary operational and engineering feasibility Suggestions and Improvement Options and discussion at coordination meetings with several of the responsible implementation agencies and with the Steering Committee and Working Groups. The improvement alternatives selected for each package are shown bulleted in Table 1.

Qualitative Each of the three packages is a stand-alone and multi-modal set of improvement alternatives that addresses Screening Analysis the project issues and goals. All three packages include elements to improve traffic flow and safety along the Cross Bronx and Major Deegan expressways, particularly at locations where relatively high accidents rates First-Tier have been identified and where bottlenecks often adversely affect both mainline and local traffic operations. Major Flaw Analysis These include improvements to critical interchanges along these facilities. All three packages include improvements for transit services, goods movement and pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the Bronx. Second-Tier Steering Committee and The first package is the most basic operational set of improvements. Although, it includes improvements at a Working Groups Feedback number of the CBE and MDE interchanges with safety and operational problems, it does not include

measures that would benefit significantly the Highbridge Interchange. The first package does include, Third-Tier A

gency and Public Input however, a segment of the proposed Cross Bronx Connector Road (Fact Sheet No. 11), extending from Implementation Potential Washington Bridge/University Avenue to Jerome Avenue. This may help to reduce congestion and accidents that consistently plague the westernmost segment of the Cross Bronx Expressway throughout the day. Fourth-Tier Consistency with The second and third packages include long-term solutions to correct safety and operational problems at the Study Issues and Goals Highbridge Interchange (Fact Sheet Nos. 8 and 9) and, in particular, at the Bridge. Both packages include extension of the Cross Bronx Connector Roads from Washington Bridge/University Avenue Comparative to Hugh Grant Circle. The connector roads may be used for a number of different scenarios that include Screening Analysis general purpose, an exclusive bus rapid transit facility, and a combination of the two uses. The travel demand model will be used to screen and identify the arrangement for the connector roads. The results will be presented in the next step, Evaluation of Alternative Packages. The main difference between the second and third packages is the improvement at the Highbridge Interchange. The second package includes the restoration th th Development of of the TME tunnels under W. 178 and W. 179 streets. The tunnels may be configured at their termini in a Alternative Packages number of different arrangements involving the Alexander Hamilton Bridge or Washington Bridge on the eastern end and the (Upper or Lower Levels), Henry Hudson Parkway, and Riverside Drive on the western end. These various options will be screened to identify which option for the two TME tunnels would be selected for Alternative Package No. 2. The third package includes a new bridge over the connecting the Major Deegan Expressway with the westbound Trans-Manhattan Evaluation of Expressway. Both packages could improve operations and safety on the Alexander Hamilton Bridge by Alternative Packages reducing or eliminating the weaving maneuvers in one or both directions between the Major Deegan Expressway and the Trans-Manhattan Expressway Inner Roadway.

Preparation of Study Report

Bronx Arterial Needs Major Investment Study 2 TABLE 1 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE PACKAGES

FACT TITLE AND OPTIONS ALTERNATIVE PACKAGES COMMENTS SHEET NO. 1 NO. 2 NO. 3 1 No Build Alternative The No Build Alternative is the baseline package against which the alternative packages would be measured and evaluated.

2 Transportation System Management Improvements (TSM) Each TSM alternative is a stand-alone and readily implementable improvement. Potential benefits relative to long-term needs are limited.

3 Interchange Improvements in Cross Bronx Expressway Corridor

§ Reversal of Westbound Entrance and Exit Ramps from/to and l l l Potential alternative may mitigate safety problems in CBE westbound segment Rosedale Avenue and Closure of Westbound Entrance Ramp from Rosedale Avenue ranked No. 5 of 10 in accidents (Rosedale Avenue to Sheridan Expressway).

§ Reversal of Eastbound Entrance and Exit Ramps to/from Hugh Grant Circle and Castle l l l Potential alternative may mitigate safety problems in CBE eastbound segment Hill Road ranked No. 7 of 10 in accidents (Hugh Grant Circle to Castle Hill Avenue).

§ Westbound Auxiliary Lane from Castle Hill Road Entrance Ramp to E. 174th l l Potential alternative may mitigate safety problems in CBE westbound segment Street/Rosedale Avenue Exit Ramp ranked No. 3 of 10 in accidents (Castle Hill Avenue to Hugh Grant Circle).

§ Westbound Auxiliary Lane between Sheridan Expressway Entrance Ramps and Third l l Potential alternative may mitigate safety problems in CBE westbound segment Avenue Exit Ramp ranked No. 5 of 10 in accidents (Rosedale Avenue to Sheridan Expressway).

§ Reconstruction of Sheridan Expressway//E.177th Street l l Plans based on NYSDOT EPP -- Interchange Improvements at Bronx River Interchange Parkway and East 177th Street (PIN X110.18.101).

4 Washington Bridge Diversion This potential alternative has been identified as an ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) recommendation under TSM improvements.

5 Mainline Improvements on the Major Deegan Expressway, South of 145th Street Not Advanced under this study due to its probable implementation beyond 2020, which was determined after some preliminary engineering analysis of the alternative. NYSDOT may pursue this potential alternative as a separate project.

6 Interchange Improvements in Major Deegan Expressway Corridor

§ Reversal of Northbound Entrance and Exit Ramp at E. 135th Street (near Brook l Potential alternative may mitigate safety problems in MDE northbound segment Avenue) ranked No. 10 of 10 in accidents (vicinity of Willis Avenue NB ramps).

Potential alternative could improve northbound access to/from Harlem River Yard via E. 135th Street at Brook Avenue and St. Ann’s Place.

§ Reconstruction of Southbound Exit Ramp to E. 138th Street – Widen Ramp Approach l

§ Reconstruction of Southbound Exit Ramp to E. 138th Street – Flyovers to Madison l l In addition to improving traffic mobility to Madison Avenue and Avenue Bridge and Third Avenue Bridge via Major Deegan Boulevard bridges, this potential alternative could improve traffic mobility on Bruckner Boulevard near Harlem River Yard.

Bronx Arterial Needs Major Investment Study 3 TABLE 1 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE PACKAGES

FACT TITLE AND OPTIONS ALTERNATIVE PACKAGES COMMENTS SHEET NO. 1 NO. 2 NO. 3 6 (cont.) § Additional Storage Lengths at Northbound and Southbound Exit Ramps to Cross Bronx l l l For the three alternative packages, the northbound storage length will be Expressway and Trans-Manhattan Expressway determined in order to establish if the diversion is needed. This determination will be refined in the next step, Evaluation of Alternative Packages.

For Alternative Packages Nos. 2 and 3 the next step, Evaluation of Alternative Packages, will determine if this potential alternative would be needed in addition to the improvements at the Highbridge Interchange.

§ Northbound Auxiliary Lane from W. 179th Street Entrance Ramp to Exit l l l Potential alternative may mitigate safety problems in MDE northbound segment Ramp ranked No. 6 of 10 in accidents (vicinity of W. 179th Street NB ramps).

§ Reconstruction of W. Fordham Road Interchange – Single Point Interchange l l l Potential alternative may mitigate safety problems in MDE northbound segment ranked No. 8 of 10 in accidents (vicinity of W. Fordham Road NB ramps).

§ Relocation of Northbound Entrance Ramp from W. 230th Street to W. 234th Street l l l Potential alternative may mitigate safety problems in MDE northbound segments ranked Nos. 2 and 9 of 10 in accidents (vicinity of W. 230th Street NB ramps and W. 234th Street).

Potential alternative may provide improvement for northbound exit ramp to South. Van Cortlandt Park South Ramp is located in and near MDE northbound segments ranked Nos. 7 and 9 of 10 in accidents (W. 233rd Street to Van Cortlandt Park South).

§ Replacement of Northbound Entrance and Exit Ramps at W. 230th Street ("Button Not Advanced Hook" Option)

§ Replacement of Northbound Entrance and Exit Ramps at W. 230th Street ("Braided" Not Advanced Option)

7 Service Roads in Major Deegan Expressway Corridor § Major Deegan Expressway Southbound Service Road from Highbridge Interchange to l l Yankee Stadium and Bronx Terminal Market

8 Improvements at Highbridge Interchange

§ New Ramp from NB MDE to TME (Option 1A) Not Advanced -- Option directly affects multi-story apartment building. Provides marginal operational improvements on AHB to TME (i.e., about 200 feet of additional weaving length).

§ New Ramp from NB MDE to TME (Option 1B) Not Advanced -- Option affects multi-story apartment building property and does not provide significant operational improvements on AHB to TME.

§ New Ramp from SB MDE to TME (Option 2A) Not Advanced -- Option may have environmental impacts on Harlem River and does not provide significant operational improvements on AHB to TME.

Bronx Arterial Needs Major Investment Study 4 TABLE 1 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE PACKAGES

FACT TITLE AND OPTIONS ALTERNATIVE PACKAGES COMMENTS SHEET NO. 1 NO. 2 NO. 3 8 (cont.) § New Ramp from SB MDE to TME (Option 2B) Not Advanced -- Option affects multi-story apartment building property and does not provide significant operational improvements on AHB to TME.

§ New Ramp fro EB TME to SB MDE (Option 2C) Not Advanced -- Even though this option provides better ramp geometries, it is comparable to the MDE southbound service road alternative, which is accessible via the existing helix ramp.

§ New Bridge over Harlem River (Option 3) l This potential alternative is being advanced as an option to the TME tunnels. (See following TME options.)

9 Restoration of Trans-Manhattan Expressway Tunnels under W. 178th and W. 179th Streets l The options will be screened to identify which option for the TME tunnels under § Washington Bridge – GWB Lower Level (EB) and HHP/Riverside Drive (WB) W. 178th and W. 179th streets would be selected for Alternative Package No. 2. § AHB – GWB Upper Level (WB) and Lower Level (EB) This effort is being coordinated with the PANY&NJ. § AHB – GWB Upper Level (EB & WB)

10 Decking Segments of the Cross Bronx Expressway Potential alternative will be part of Cross Bronx Connector Road packages.

11 Cross Bronx Connector Roads In addition to providing facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists, the Cross Bronx § Washington Bridge/University Avenue – Jerome Avenue l l l Connector Roads will be screened for the following two scenarios: § Jerome Avenue – Clay Avenue l l § General Purpose and Bus Rapid Transit Use for Entire Length of Connector § Clay Avenue – Arthur Avenue l l Roads § Arthur Avenue – Boston Road l l § Bus Rapid Transit Use for Entire Length of Connector Roads and General § Boston Road – Bronx River Avenue l l Purpose for Selected Segments of the Connector Roads (General Purpose on § Bronx River Avenue – Hugh Grant Circle l l all segments with the exception of the Clay Avenue-Arthur Avenue viaducts and Boston Road-Bronx River Avenue viaduct over the Sheridan Expressway. Both segments will be exclusively for the BRT.)

12 High Quality Bus Rapid Transit Facility on the Cross Bronx Connector Roads § Limited Stop BRT service l l § Local BRT service l l

13 Pedestrian and Bicyclist Improvements in the Bronx § Facility and Connections on Cross Bronx Connector Roads l l § Facility across Washington Bridge l l l § Restoration of High Bridge l l l § Facility along Harlem River Waterfront This option is predicated on MTA Metro-North plans for Highbridge .

14 Enhanced Bus Network Serving the Bronx § Improved Connections to Metro-North Stations in the Bronx l l l § New Limited Routes Utilizing Cross Bronx High Quality Transit Facility l l § Other New East-West Local and Limited Routes l l l § Common Fare Policy Between NYCT and “Bee-Line” Service l l l § Extension of Bee-Line Routes l l l § Improved Bus Connections to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station l l l

Bronx Arterial Needs Major Investment Study 5 TABLE 1 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE PACKAGES

FACT TITLE AND OPTIONS ALTERNATIVE PACKAGES COMMENTS SHEET NO. 1 NO. 2 NO. 3 15 Enhanced Subway Service in the Bronx § Weekday Express Service on No. 4 Line (Jerome Avenue) Not Advanced -- Existing tracks are not well suited for express train operation. Demand for this service would benefit relatively few riders while inconveniencing the majority of local service riders. Other two options are more beneficial to riders. § All-Day Weekday Express Service on No. 5 Line (White Plains Road) l l l § Weekday Express Service B and D Lines () l l l

16 Enhanced MTA Metro-North Railroad Service in the Bronx It may be possible to increase service levels with planned addition of third track on § Increased Service to Stations as Feasible with Existing Capacity l l l a section of the , or track improvements that are implemented based § Rehabilitation of Bronx Stations As Needed and Additional Amenities l l l on Study or Trans-Hudson Study recommendations § Improve Local Bus Access to Stations in the Bronx l l l § Improve Pedestrian Access to Stations in the Bronx l l l § Maintain Fare Policies that Encourage Ridership l l l § Reevaluate Enter/Exit Policy at Fordham and Stations l l l § Add Service if Made Possible by Future Track Capacity Improvements l

17 Inter-Modal Hub near New MTA Metro-North Railroad Station at Yankee Stadium This potential alternative is predicated on the implementation of a Metro-North § Bus Stops and Turnaround l l station at Yankee Stadium. § Modification of Local Bus Routes to Serve Rail Station l l § Pedestrian Connections Between Subway, Rail and Ferry l l

18 Bronx-Based Ferry Service Throgs Neck/Soundview and Riverdale service would require identification of § Yankee Stadium to/from Manhattan (East Side) l l locations for ferry slips and their construction. § Throgs Neck & Soundview to/from Manhattan (East Side) l l l § Riverdale to/from Manhattan (West Side) l l l

19 Park-And-Ride Facilities in Northern Bronx and Southern Westchester County The usage of these properties will require that NYCDOT and Westchester DOT § Van Cortlandt Park Golf Parking Lot l l l gain permission from current landowners. § Yonkers Raceway l l l

20 Goods Movement in the Bronx l l l Improvements for CBE and MDE would benefit goods movement.

21 Priority Treatment for Trucks on the Cross Bronx Expressway This potential alternative has been identified as a TSM improvement that requires § Dedicated lane during nighttime period further evaluation. § Use of all travel lanes during nighttime period

22 Value Pricing at Existing Toll Bridges Serving the Bronx Implementation feasibility and time frame of this potential alternative would need § George Washington Bridge to be determined by responsible lead agencies. § § Whitestone Bridge §

Bronx Arterial Needs Major Investment Study 6