Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #11-88

Seth Solomonow/Nicole Garcia (212) 839-4850

Traffic Advisory: Temporary Full-Weekend Closure of Southbound FDR Drive Brooklyn Bridge Ramp

Motorists are urged to use alternate routes

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) advises motorists that the southbound FDR Drive ramp onto the Brooklyn Bridge will be closed this weekend from 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, until 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 31, to allow for the replacement of the existing concrete deck and the removal of temporary steel joint covers. The construction is part of the Brooklyn Bridge rehabilitation project, which will improve access to the bridge while renewing an important piece of the city’s infrastructure. Two detours for Brooklyn-bound traffic will be established during the 55-hour continuous closure: Motorists may exit the FDR Drive southbound at the Manhattan Civic Center/Pace University off-ramp (Exit 2), turn left at Pearl Street and right to access the ramp onto the Brooklyn Bridge. Drivers may also continue southbound on the FDR Drive to Exit 1 South Street, near the Whitehall/Staten Island Ferry terminal, and return to the northbound FDR Drive via the U-turn ramp to the Brooklyn-bound ramp onto the Brooklyn Bridge. Alternate routes into Brooklyn also include using the Manhattan Bridge and the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel (toll charge).

In addition, the Pearl Street off-ramp will be closed to Manhattan-bound traffic during this full-weekend closure. Motorists entering Manhattan from the bridge can exit the Brooklyn Bridge at Center Street to continue uptown. For downtown access, drivers can exit the Brooklyn Bridge at Park Row South. All other traffic changes typically associated with this project will be suspended, including contra-flow traffic reversal, closure of the northbound FDR exit ramp and closure of Dover Street.

This is the only full-weekend closure of this ramp for the remainder of 2011. During this time, traffic agents and variable message boards will be posted to assist and advise motorists of the detour routes. This construction is part of a $508 million project to rehabilitate the Brooklyn Bridge’s ramps and approaches and paint its steel components to prevent corrosion. The project is funded in part with $30 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.

Summary of closure times and detours

  • Full weekend closure of the southbound FDR Drive Brooklyn Bridge Ramp from 11 p.m. Friday, October 28 to 6 a.m. Monday, Oct 31.
  • Brooklyn-bound traffic detours onto the bridge
    • Exit the FDR Drive at the Manhattan Civic Center/Pace University off-ramp
      (Exit 2). Turn left at Pearl Street and right to access the ramp onto the Brooklyn Bridge.
    • Continue traveling south on the FDR Drive to Exit 1 South Street near South Ferry. Follow the U-turn ramp at South Ferry and return to the FDR Drive northbound to use the access ramp onto the Brooklyn Bridge.
  • Manhattan-bound traffic detours from the bridge
    • To access Uptown Manhattan: Exit the Brooklyn Bridge at Center Street.
    • To access Downtown Manhattan: Exit the Brooklyn Bridge at Park Row.

Map of detour routes

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