Sept. 02, 2009

Westchester County’s first stimulus project – the rebuilding of the Odell Avenue bridge in Yonkers – is two weeks ahead of schedule. The Odell Avenue bridge in Yonkers will reopen to two-way traffic by 3 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday), just in time for the start of school next week. Eastbound traffic on the bridge had been detoured since July 1 when demolition and construction work began on the bridge. 

“The major part of this important project has been completed,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “This is a great use of federal stimulus money. It gave the local economy a boost with new jobs and a safer bridge for our motorists and pedestrians.” Spano thanked Westchester’s federal delegation: Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Representatives Nita Lowey, Eliot Engel and John Hall for their ongoing efforts to get stimulus money for Westchester.

This project is the first of five that the county is working on this summer, with 98 new jobs expected to be created. The other projects include the installation of new street lighting for the Bronx River Parkway, upgrading 60 traffic signals and replacing guard rails on county roads.

PCI Industries, a Mount Vernon company, was awarded the $2.2 million contract to rebuild the aging Odell Avenue bridge over the South County Trailway as part of federal stimulus funding designed to put America back to work and stimulate the national economy. Since the contract allowed for incentives and disincentives based on the contractor’s scheduled performance, the company will receive the maximum incentive for opening at least 10 days early. PCI is 14 days ahead of schedule.

The major part of the project has been completed. As parts of the bridge were demolished, a prefabricated arch was installed underneath the old bridge. Exterior stonework and installation of new permanent railings remain to be done. 

For additional information, contact the Westchester County Department of Public Works, Traffic Division at (914) 995-2555.