Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #13-52
September 4, 2013
Seth Solomonow/Nicholas Mosquera (212) 839-4850

Closure of Manhattan-bound Lanes of Brooklyn Bridge and Related Overnight Closure of Sections of Eastbound Brooklyn-Queens Expressway This Weekend

In conjunction with this weekend’s closure of all Manhattan-bound lanes on the Brooklyn Bridge, limited overnight closures of the BQE will occur to rehabilitate the span’s arch structure in Brooklyn

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes

As part of the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) project to rehabilitate the Brooklyn Bridge ramps and approaches, a full closure of the bridge’s Manhattan-bound lanes will be required this weekend, from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 through 6:00 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9. There also will be limited overnight closures of the eastbound Brooklyn Queens Expressway on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 1-6 a.m.; Sunday, Sept. 8 from 2-7 a.m.; and Monday, Sept. 9 from 12:01-4 a.m. During these periods, the eastbound BQE will be closed from Exit 28A (Cadman Plaza West) to Exit 29A (Manhattan Bridge/Nassau St). Motorists looking to continue on the eastbound BQE are advised to use Exit 27 (Atlantic Ave.) in Brooklyn and follow signage to re-enter the eastbound BQE at Tillary Street. Similarly, motorists who use Exit 28A (Cadman Plaza West) are advised to follow signage to the nearby BQE on ramps at either Sands or Tillary streets. Intermittent overnight single and double lane restrictions on the westbound BQE will also be initiated prior to the full closure. To alert motorists of the temporary closures, DOT has deployed electronic message signs in advance of the closure and is coordinating overhead electronic signs at key crossings citywide such as the FDR Drive, Staten Island Expressway and Cross Bronx Expressway. Work zone crews and flag persons will also be stationed at approaches to further direct traffic, and in collaboration with NYPD, traffic control agents will be onsite to assist drivers through the overnight BQE detours. DOT will also be taking steps to mitigate the potential impact of additional traffic on local streets by adjusting signal timing. As with recent, related closures of the bridge during this vital rehabilitation project, motorists are urged to avoid the area if possible and use alternate routes.

During the 54-hour full closure of the Brooklyn Bridge to all Manhattan-bound traffic, vehicles will be redirected to alternate crossings, including the Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge and the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, an MTA-tolled facility. Brooklyn-bound vehicle access onto the bridge will be maintained via ramps from Pearl Street and Centre Street into the contra-flow lanes on the bridge itself. During this weekend closure, there will be additional access to the bridge via the Park Row ramp from Frankfort Street available from 6 a.m. Saturday until 1 a.m. Sunday, and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Brooklyn Bridge’s pedestrian and bike path will remain open, though the pedestrian staircase at Frankfort Street in Manhattan will be closed between 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 and 11 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8.

The weekend closure will allow for the first stage of the full structural replacement of the York Street arch over the BQE in Brooklyn, an important part of the effort to bring this critical piece of infrastructure into a state-of-good repair. For more information about the Brooklyn Bridge rehabilitation, visit nyc.gov/dot.

Map of Suggested Alternative Route via Exit 28A
Suggested Alternative Route via Exit 28A

Map of Suggested Alternative Route via Exit 27
Suggested Alternative Route via Exit 27

Diagram of Planned Traffic Pattern Changes on Brooklyn Bridge Ramps
Planned Traffic Pattern Changes on Brooklyn Bridge Ramps

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