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.

Work Completed (as of June 2009):

• Replacement of the entire roadway deck and approaches.
• Construction of a new turning lane from the bridge onto Vernon Boulevard southbound.

Work Currently Performed:

• Removal of the existing paint and repainting the entire bridge.
• Replacement of all mechanical and electrical systems, including all lights on the bridge and approaches.
• Installation of new sidewalks and pedestrian safety fencing.
• Repair of all deteriorated structural elements, river piers and the timber fender system.
• Replacement of bearings to current seismic codes.

In addition, at the request of the community, a new traffic light will be installed at 36th Avenue and Vernon Boulevard. The turning lane will relieve backups that occur on Roosevelt Island and create an improved pedestrian crossing.

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.

• 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.

Completion of the project is anticipated by November 2009.

For more information, please contact Community Liaison, Melissa Johnson, at (212) 758-1060 or via email at mjohnson@zetlin.com. You can also call the New York City information number, 311 (212-NEWYORK outside New York City).