Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of a $161 million project to rehabilitate seven bridges along the Grand Central Parkway between Union Turnpike and Commonwealth Boulevard in Queens. The project, supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will replace the concrete bridge decks on three of the structures and make significant repairs and structural upgrades to all the remaining crossings. It will enhance safety and improve mobility and resiliency along a vital travel corridor that handles approximately 300,000 vehicles a day. The project will also extend the service life of each of the structures, which were built in the 1970s, by as much as 40 years and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
“Creating a more reliable, resilient transportation network is vital for our State’s growth and development,” Governor 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 project will replace the concrete bridge decks, pedestals and steel bearings on the bridges carrying the Grand Central Parkway over Winchester Boulevard and Cross Island Parkway, Vanderbilt Parkway; and the ramp from northbound Cross Island Parkway to westbound Grand Central Parkway. Additionally, repairs will be made to the structural steel beams and the concrete on the pier columns and abutments. New paint will be added to the structural steel and the bridge railings will be replaced with concrete barriers.
The remaining four bridges will be repaired, improving their overall condition and extending their service life. These include the bridge carrying Grand Central Parkway over Union Turnpike, two bridges carrying westbound Grand Central Parkway service road over the northbound and southbound Cross Island Parkway, and the ramp from southbound Cross Island Parkway to eastbound Grand Central Parkway over Alley Pond Road.
Slated for completion by the end of 2025, this project is using the design-build delivery method, where both the final design and construction are performed by the designated design-build team.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Governor Hochul’s continued investment in vital transportation infrastructure projects like this one on the Grand Central Parkway will benefit generations of New Yorkers and help keep people and goods on the move in our city and state for decades to come.”
Representative Grace Meng said, “The Grand Central Parkway is a heavily traveled corridor in Queens and these upgrades are key to ensuring its longevity and increasing the safety and mobility for all who use this stretch of highway. As New York’s representative on the Regional Leadership Council – which works to promote and implement legislation signed by President Biden – it’s great to see money coming to my congressional district from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that I helped pass in Congress.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said, “The rehabilitation of these seven bridges along the Grand Central Parkway will be another major step forward in the ongoing improvement of our borough’s transportation infrastructure. Motorists who use the Grand Central Parkway will experience safer and smoother rides for decades to come thanks to this critically important project. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul and state Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez for continuing to make Queens a priority.”
NYC Council Member Linda Lee said, “I applaud Governor Hochul’s investment into the infrastructure along the Grand Central Parkway that will improve safety and limit congestion along this vital roadway. With transportation options limited for so many residents in Eastern Queens, I am thrilled to see the continued modernization of our local roads and highways to ease this burden to increase traffic flow and improve the quality of life for commuters in our neighborhood.”
