Replacement of the Grand Street Bridge over Newtown Creek was discussed at a community meeting in late April at the Kowalinski Post in Maspeth. The bridge, which was last replaced in 1903, requires replacement again in order to:
• Address the identified structural deficiencies
• Address the geometric deficiencies to improve traffic flow and to facilitate traffic operations
• Improve bicycle/pedestrian facilities
• Maintain long term navigability along Newtown Creek
• Improve the resiliency of the bridge
NYCDOT will seek to maintain traffic during construction of the Project, while maintaining adequate local access to businesses and minimizing detour travel time and disruption. The four options they are looking at are to
• close the bridge and detour traffic
• close the bridge and build a temporary bridge across Newtown Creek at Maspeth Avenue
• close the bridge and build a temporary bridge to the north or south of the current bridge.
After the environmental study, ULURP, bid process and design phase are completed, construction is expected to begin in 2029. Project completion is anticipated in 2033.