WHITE PLAINS, NY — The Westchester County Board of Legislators approved funding through Bond Acts in the amount of $2.85 million for continued repairs to the Fulton Avenue Drawbridge which connects Mount Vernon and Pelham at the site of a major retail and industrial district. This funding is in addition to $9.37 million which has been invested in the bridge since 2012.
The Bond Acts will finance replacement of steel members and piers, rehabilitation of wearing surfaces, painting, rebalancing of bascule spans, rehabilitation of mechanical and electrical components and renovation and/or replacement of metal bulkheads for riverbank protection.
The Fulton Avenue Bridge was originally built in 1974. The New York State Department of Transportation closed the bridge following an inspection which determined the steel piers had deteriorated to a point that was unsafe. The bridge has since been re-opened. Approximately 12,000 cars traverse the span every day.
Legislator Lyndon Williams (D) Mount Vernon said the closure significantly impacted residents and businesses. “It is imperative that Westchester County finish the rehabilitation of Fulton Ave. Bridge. This bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure traversed by area residents to access Boston Post Road and the corridor to Interstate 95 coming into and leaving lower Westchester County. “
“Major retail development in Mount Vernon and Pelham as well as small merchants and restaurants benefit from the free flow of traffic and commerce over the Fulton Avenue Bridge each day.” Williams said, “Therefore, area businesses and residents are naturally concerned about any lengthy closure that disrupts residential and commercial activities. I’ve also heard from merchants who saw a sharp decline in business while the bridge was closed. I urge the Department of Public Works to put an outreach plan in place to inform residents and business owners when the bridge will be closed and to map out an efficient and well-marked detour to minimize the impact of the work”.
Legislator Jim Maisano (R, New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor) added that his office received numerous complaints about the bridge closing in the past. “This is a short bridge but it is very important for commuters and local businesses.” Maisano said, “I’m glad that we have funded the rehabilitation of this crucial bridge, and I will expect that our Department of Public Works will ensure that the work is done efficiently and with minimal impact to local businesses. We need this bridge fully fixed and to have this traffic corridor back to normal as soon as possible.”