Two Bronx-bound Lanes Closed 10 PM Mon., March 12th Through 5 AM Tues., March 13th While New Traffic Pattern Installed
The nearly $32 million rehabilitation project to replace the original 1930’s-era steel curb stringers on the Bronx-bound upper level of the Henry Hudson Bridge is ahead of schedule and will move the next phase of work on the right hand side of the bridge beginning Tues., March 13th.
In order to put a new work zone in place, two of the three lanes of traffic will be closed overnight from 10 p.m. on Mon., March 12th until 5 a.m. on Tues., March 13th. Once established, two lanes will be open during peak, weekday travel times. The far right lane on the east side of the bridge will be closed from the toll plaza to the Bronx tower around-the-clock while the original steel curb stringers, resembling a hollow metal box, are removed and new sub-stringer steel beams to support the upper level roadway are put in place.
Hollow box curb stringers were the structural support method used when the bridge was built in the 1930s but they are not watertight. Through the years water has seeped in causing some of the steel to deteriorate. Once the old stringers are removed, the roadway will be built out and new concrete decking, which will protect the steel by forming a barrier to keep water from seeping in, will be poured.
The three-year project began is expected to be completed by fall 2013. To see similar work that was done on the west side of the bridge’s upper level during the first construction phase click here.
Once the old curb stringers and an unused maintenance walkway that is closed to the public are eliminated, the upper level of the bridge will have wider, more uniform traffic lanes, and a new safety shoulder.
New energy-efficient roadway lighting will also be added. The new roadway light poles will be designed to replicate the original 1930s-style lights in order to blend with the bridge’s Depression-era design.
The Henry Hudson Bridge opened to traffic Dec. 12, 1936.
