New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday that work had begun on a $161 million project to replace seven bridges along the Grand Central Parkway in Queens.
The project will replace concrete bridge decks on three bridges and make repairs and structural upgrades to the other four. Officials said the work will enhance safety and improve mobility and resiliency while extending the service life of each bridge by as much as 40 years.
“Creating a more reliable, resilient transportation network is vital for our State’s growth and development,” Hochul said. “The Grand Central Parkway is one of New York City’s most critical travel corridors and the rehabilitation of these bridges will help ensure that it continues to serve New Yorkers for decades to come.”
The bridges, each built in the 1970s, will benefit from lower long-term maintenance costs because of the project, officials said. The project is expected to be done in 2025, and will use the design-build delivery method where the final design and construction are performed by the same design-build team. Funding for the project comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Federal investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Law will help rehabilitate seven bridges along Grand Central Parkway in Queens, reducing maintenance costs in the long-term, enhancing safety, and supporting the longevity of the bridges along this critical route,” Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. “I’m proud to support the federal funding to make projects like this a reality, creating jobs and boosting the economy while upgrading our infrastructure, and ensuring safe and reliable travel for hundreds of thousands of cars that use the corridor daily.”