FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE Contact: Diane Park
Wednesday, June 25, 2014 718-482-4526
NYSDOT SCHEDULES PUBLIC MEETINGS ON NEW KOSCIUSZKO BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has announced that two (2) Public Information Meetings will be held in July to update the public on construction of the new Kosciuszko Bridge, the largest project in the history of the NYSDOT. The meetings have been scheduled for:
Wednesday, July 9th
Warsaw/Polish National Home at 261 Driggs Avenue, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Wednesday, July 16th
Sunnyside Community Services at 43-31 39th Street, Queens
Project displays will be available at 6:00 p.m. for review. A detailed presentation will follow at 6:30 p.m. The public will have the opportunity to meet the Design-Build Team, ask questions and learn more about the project. The same information will be presented on both dates.
The new Kosciuszko Bridge will improve traffic safety, reduce congestion and improve travel speeds on this segment of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278) by including wider driving lanes and shoulder widths; extra (auxiliary) lanes in both directions; and a reduced road incline that will make it easier for trucks to maintain consistent speeds on the bridge. These improvements are projected to reduce motorists’ delays by more than 65% during peak hours.
The main span of the bridge will be a cable-stayed design, which will create a signature skyline between Brooklyn and Queens. Other features of the project will include a new bikeway/walkway offering spectacular views of Manhattan; new parks and open spaces in both Brooklyn and Queens; improved access to the waterfront; and streetscaping enhancements, such as decorative lighting, tree plantings, and new sidewalks. The project is being funded by the Federal Highway Administration and Governor Cuomo’s innovative New York Works Program, which was established to create jobs and spur economic development while rebuilding the state’s infrastructure. Over $70 million of this phase of the project is allocated to small businesses as part of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced in May that the $555 million contract for final design and construction of Phase 1 of the Design-Build Kosciuszko Bridge project has been awarded to a construction team that includes Skanska, a New York City contractor who will serve as the managing partner, Kiewit Infrastructure, and ECCO III. HNTB Engineering will serve as the lead design firm.
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