The Roosevelt Island Bridge is a tower drive, vertical lift, movable bridge across the East Channel of the East River between the borough of Queens and Roosevelt Island, New York City. The span length is 418 feet. It was known as the Welfare Island Bridge when it was first opened to traffic in 1955. The bridge is the only means of vehicular access to Roosevelt Island. Prior to construction, the bridge carried two 17-foot lanes of vehicular traffic and a 6-foot sidewalk. The bridge is used by both pedestrians and vehicles with increased volume during rush hours. The Queens approach begins at the intersection of Vernon Boulevard and 36th Avenue.

Reconstruction Project

The project will include the complete rehabilitation of the Roosevelt Island Bridge. Reconstruction will take place in three stages over three years. Currently, the lift span is non-operational and marine traffic must pass using the West Channel of the East River. The project cost is $86.5 million.

This project is expected to be completed by Spring 2011.

Work Completed (as of February 2010)

• Replace the entire roadway deck and approaches – completed ahead of schedule
• Construct a new turning lane from the bridge onto Vernon Boulevard southbound – completed ahead of schedule
• Replace bearings to current seismic codes
• Remove existing paint and repainting the entire bridge – 98% complete
• Install new sidewalks and pedestrian safety fencing – 98% complete
• Repair all deteriorated structural elements, river piers and the timber fender system – 95% complete

Minimizing Traffic and Community Impacts

The general hours of construction are Monday through Friday between 7am and 7pm. However, nighttime and weekend operations will occur occasionally.

All staging areas are located behind a screened fence. Active measures are taken by the contractor to reduce noise at its source, such as the use of mufflers, sound screens and low noise-producing equipment as well as the placement of equipment away from residential receptors.

Because the Roosevelt Island Bridge is the only means of vehicular access to the island, access will be maintained on the bridge during daytime work operations via one eastbound and one westbound lane. When operations that require an expanded work zone are conducted, lane reversals will occur, with flagpersons directing traffic.

The community will be advised at least 7 days in advance of all work related to bridge lane closures or delays associated with the construction project.

• Reconstruction work requiring a lane closure usually is conducted between 9am and 3pm, when traffic volume is at its lowest.
• There is occasional nighttime work between 8pm and 6am.
• There is occasional weekend work from 8pm Friday until 5am Monday.
• Both travel lanes are available on the bridge during non-working hours.
• Pedestrian access is maintained on the bridge at all times.

• The work will be performed within an entirely sealed Class 1A Containment System which prevents materials from escaping the work zone.
• Filtration of the enclosed air will prevent paint waste dust from being released.
• The soil and air in the area surrounding the containment enclosure is monitored and tested.

• The work is performed within a sealed area, which prevents materials from escaping the work zone.
• The air in the area surrounding the enclosure will be monitored and tested.

For more information, please contact Fred Herschkowitz, Community Liaison at 212-839-6307 or fherschkowitz@dot.nyc.gov. You can also call 311 (212-NEWYORK outside New York City). Please be prepared to give your name, your borough, and the project number ("HBM1117") to be correctly routed to the project management team.