A $39.4 million project to replace the deteriorated Crane Road Bridge on the Bronx River Parkway along the border of Scarsdale and Greenburgh began on Monday, June 4, the largest construction project ever undertaken by the county on the parkway.
In the works for more than five years and the focus of numerous public meetings during this time, the project, which will take about three years to complete, involves replacing the bridge over the Bronx River and the Metro-North Railroad tracks.
The current bridge, built in 1924, will continue to be operational during most of the project while a new bridge is constructed alongside it. To improve traffic operations and safety, the new bridge will have wider lanes and shoulders and will include a northbound deceleration lane to Crane Road. There will also be sidewalks to enhance pedestrian access to the Bronx River Parkway reservation, and the southbound Metro-North platform will be reconstructed.
In announcing the start of the project, County Executive Robert P. Astorino said, "The bridge is almost a century old and must be replaced now to ensure the safety of the estimated 30,000 motorists who use it each day. We will do our best to minimize the inconvenience the construction will cause. On a very positive note, it will create approximately 400 construction jobs."
The cost of the project is $39,425,000 and is being funded with 80 percent Federal Highway Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement Program funds, 15 percent state funds and 5 percent county capital funds. This construction project was awarded to E.E. Cruz & Co. of New York City, the low bidder.
The project will be undertaken in four stages. Full details are available at the county's Web site at www.westchestergov.com/craneroadbridge.
On Monday, workers will begin setting up a staging area in a section of a parking lot in Scarsdale, used by merchants. Actual work is expected to begin the following week, which will involve midday lane closures and night-time tree removals at the start.
Crane Road Bridge is located immediately south of Exit 12 (Crane Road) on the Bronx River Parkway. The bridge's architectural details include circular concrete piers, covered with rustic stone that resemble a clutch of "mushrooms." Its bridge deck curves around Scarsdale Lake, over the Bronx River and the Metro-North Railroad.
The replacement bridge will resemble the original design.
The bridge carries an estimated 3,000 vehicles during each weekday peak hour (8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.). Its daily traffic count is approximately 30,000 vehicles.
The project will be completed in four stages over a 34 month period. The estimated completion is spring 2015.
Throughout all stages, limited parkway closures from Harney Road to Crane Road will occur weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Detours will be posted accordingly. Limited night and weekend parkway closures in one or both directions will also occur in all stages. The public will receive advance notification of these closures and project activities through press releases and signs.
Stage 1 - duration approximately 10 months:
- Construct three of the six new concrete piers and deck above; construct southern portion of the new railroad bridge.
- Night-time tree removal operations.
- Periodic northbound Bronx River Parkway single lane closures, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Pipeline Road/Aqueduct Road entrance ramp to the southbound Bronx River Parkway will be closed in July for the duration of the entire project.
- Use of a portion of the Scarsdale merchants parking lot for construction equipment staging area.
- Redirection of the park pathway area south of Crane Road bridge. The reservation pathway will remain accessible from Popham/Ardsley Road.
Stage 2 – duration approximately 6 months:
- Construct two new concrete piers.
- Continued closure of Pipeline Road/Aqueduct Road entrance ramp to the southbound Bronx River Parkway.
- Northbound Bronx River Parkway exit to Crane Road closed.
- Southbound Bronx River Parkway exit to Crane Road closed.
- Northbound Bronx River Parkway near bridge vicinity – one lane closed.
Stage 3 – duration approximately 6 months:
- Construct one new concrete pier and a portion of the bridge superstructure.
- Continued closure of Pipeline Road/Aqueduct Road entrance ramp to the southbound Bronx River Parkway.
- Continued closure northbound Bronx River Parkway exit to Crane Road.
- Continued closure southbound Bronx River Parkway exit to Crane Road.
- Northbound Bronx River Parkway near bridge vicinity - one lane closed.
- Southbound Bronx River Parkway near bridge vicinity - one lane closed.
Stage 4 – duration approximately 12 months:
- Complete bridge's concrete piers and 'mushroom' structure.
- Demolish existing bridge structures.
- Construct northern portion of the railroad bridge.
- Northbound Bronx River Parkway near bridge vicinity – one lane closed.
- Southbound Bronx River Parkway near bridge vicinity – one lane closed.
Throughout the five-year environmental and design stage, the county held a public hearing and four public informational meetings with local residents and municipal officials. In addition, meetings were held with the Scarsdale Neighborhood Association's officers and representatives from the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce.
For additional information, contact Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation at 995-2555. Additional comments or questions may be submitted online at www.westchestergov.com/craneroadbridge.