The East River Bridges: 17 Years of Reconstruction and Counting…

As the rehabilitation of four major NYC bridges continues into its 17th year, cyclists and pedestrians wishing to cross the Williamsburg, Manhattan, Queensboro and Brooklyn bridges are inching closer to decent, and in some cases exceptional, facilities. The future looks bright, albeit distant, in the case of the Manhattan (ready in 2008) and Williamsburg (2005) bridges.

Following is a brief update on bike and pedestrian access to these East River crossings

Queensboro Bridge
NOW: The North Outer Roadway is open to bikes and pedestrians, except between 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM when cyclists must take a shuttle bus across. The approach on the Manhattan side forces southbound cyclists into a five-block detour to get to Second Avenue.
Although the DOT was quick to respond to our requests that asphalt ramps be installed for the NYC Century Bike Tour, the ramps were quickly removed, frustrating users and flatting tubes once again.
COMPLETION: Nov. 1999
The South Outer Roadway will be completed in November 1999. A recent DOT proposal would allow bicycles and pedestrians on the Outer Roadways, with the North Outer Roadway closed to non-motorists during the AM rush and the south side closed to them during the PM rush.
COMMENTS: Without a pathway designed exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians, users will have to contend with a path riddled with car parts, oil slicks, and potholes, and will be forced to negotiate approaches designed for both bikes and cars. A shared lane will also deteriorate faster than an exclusive bikeway.

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Williamsburg Bridge
NOW: Contrary to its earlier reports, the DOT has delayed opening the interim pedestrian and bike walkway from July to "before the end of 1998" due to a purportedly low-hanging horizontal beam. Until then, cyclists must continue to weave through the worn and weary metal-plated bike and pedestrian path on the north side. To cross over to the temporary ramp on the Manhattan side, they must now tackle four new flights of stairs.
COMPLETION: 2005
The final plans call for a 12-foot-wide bike path on the north side of the bridge and an 8-foot-wide pedestrian path on the south side. The paths will merge on the Manhattan side into an 18-foot-wide ramp that touches down in the center of Delancey Street.
COMMENTS: Featuring the widest bike lane of the four bridges, the final Williamsburg design is relatively deluxe. When completed, it will sport all the basic amenities of a proper bikeway, including well-spaced, durable lighting, and fully ramped, safe and convenient access on both the Manhattan and Brooklyn sides. However, pedestrians will likely end up walking across the north (cycling-only) path too and DOT should anticipate mixed use.

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Manhattan Bridge
NOW: Closed.
COMPLETION: 2008
The path on the south side of the bridge is complete, but workers are using it as a construction staging area. Because of safety concerns created when moving large girders and equipment, and the ongoing lead paint abatement, the DOT won't open it until 2001. The final design, for 2008, includes separate bike and pedestrian paths. Plans for the north side include a 10-foot-wide bike path, with Manhattan-side access through the small park on Canal Street. The pedestrian path will be located on the south side.
COMMENTS: Another decade is a long time to wait. This bridge is a textbook case of how not to do things - it tilts 12 feet to the side each time a train crosses.

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Brooklyn Bridge
NOW: Shared bike and pedestrian path, open 24 hours. Replacement of the wood planks on the promenade drags on. Stored on the pedestrian lane, the carpentry crew's portable construction bridge creates an obstruction for all users, even in the absence of actual construction activity.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: In an effort to improve approaches to the bridge, the DOT plans to build a ramp between the existing path on the main span to Cadman Plaza on the Brooklyn side. DOT has not reached a final decision on the plans for the Manhattan side approach, though it will be a substantial improvement of existing conditions. We'll report on the design in the next issue.
COMMENTS: $300 million of structural work on the bridge is almost complete, but approaches continue to be a nightmare. Additionally, the promenade is simply too narrow to handle the volume of cyclists and pedestrians attracted to the landmark span.

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High Bridge
In response to a flood of postcards sent to Parks Commissioner Henry "Star Quest" Stern, the Parks Department has announced it will pursue funding to reopen the unused High Bridge bike/ped network connection. Once funding is secured next spring, Parks will inspect the High Bridge and begin to stabilize its badly deteriorated structure. Parks will probably install ramps for bikes and rehabilitate existing stairs over the next five years. The estimated cost of bringing the bridge back to its former glory is $6 million.

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