From the Daily News:Despite a red light in funding from the governor early this month, the state is moving forward with the much-anticipated project to replace the Kosciuszko Bridge, officials said.
The state Department of Transportation will be forced to make a number of budget cuts after Gov. Paterson deemed its five-year capital program too expensive, but plans to replace the 70-year-old span will not be halted, an agency spokesman said.
The $25.8 billion capital package allocated $403.9 million for the first construction phase of the new Kosciuszko Bridge, with 80% paid for by the feds.
The project, which got the green light from the Federal Highway Administration earlier this year, remains on schedule to begin in fiscal year 2013-14, Levine said.
The feds will put up 80% of the estimated $1.7 billion it will cost to erect the new bridge.
The state DOT held a meeting for stakeholders on Oct. 20 to vote on eight design plans presented by PB Americas Inc.
From that vote, the top three were selected for further development by a team of architects, and the results will be presented at a public open house currently expected to be held in January, Levine said.
In all the design plans, the height of the span is significantly reduced, lessening the incline so as to avoid slowing truck traffic from the on-ramps.
The new Kosciuszko Bridge will also include shoulders and a total of nine traffic lanes - five eastbound and four westbound. The eastbound portion will also have a bikeway and walkway.
Though residential land has been acquired for the project, negotiations are still ongoing for a number of commercial properties and will continue through the end of next year, Levine said.
9 comments:
HAHAHAH Yeah right..Year 2060 20X over budget when most of Queensites may as well be living on Mars
1.8 billion for this bridge? A walkway and bike path - this is over-kill. However the Feds are paying 80% - proceed with it but strip out 20% in design cost to reduce our cost. It seem ludicris that this bridge cost so much. I can only imagine what the Tappen Zee will eventually cost 100 billion?
Uh, the expensive part ain't the walkway and bike path -- it's the car portion.
Not for nothing, I think its a good idea to have a pedestrian and bike path on the new bridge. Although the fumes coming off the canal on a hot day may kill a few people (I keed I keed) it will be kind of cool to have that option.
I would love to see QueensCrap having a poll for the best bridge design.
Why is the Pedestrian path on the eastbound side?
How do they expect pedestrians to catch the July 4th fireworks?
mazeartist:
Good point, but its not just valid for the 4th of July.
It would be a good viewing platform, day and night, back to the city, from what would be one of the highest possible public viewing options.
Looks nice, if it ever gets built.
The bridge shown here looks exactly like the Harbor Bridge in Milwaukee (also known as the Hoan Bridge)! It's 30 years old and falling apart already. I guess history will repeat itself...
Post a Comment