The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) celebrated Monday the completion of a major redesign of the Washington Bridge, a key transportation link connecting the Bronx and Manhattan.
The revamp aims to increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists, while making the bus network more efficient along the corridor between University Avenue in the Bronx and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan.
The redesign includes a new dedicated bus lane and a two-way, barrier-protected bike lane. The improvements are expected to deliver faster, more reliable service for the 68,000 bus riders and the 900 cyclists who use the bridge each day.
A Safer Bridge for the Bronx
The DOT says that Bronx residents will benefit from safer and more seamless commutes due to the protected bike lanes and redesigned intersections.
On the Bronx side, the project adds a two-way barrier-protected bike lane on one of the entrance ramps from University Avenue, providing a safer cycling experience while separating pedestrian and cyclist traffic. This bike lane also connects to the protected lanes on University Avenue and Edward L. Grant Highway, improving access across the borough.
“This transformative redesign of the Washington Bridge will protect pedestrians and cyclists, speed up bus service, and make the street safer for everyone,” said Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We are committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers benefit from our life-saving work, and this project will make commutes quicker and safer for residents in working-class communities in the Bronx and Northern Manhattan.”
The new infrastructure is expected to significantly improve safety on a corridor where previous conditions often forced pedestrians and cyclists to share narrow pathways. Cyclist and pedestrian safety upgrades include better-organized turn lanes and a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI), which will give pedestrians a head start when crossing busy intersections near the bridge.
Bus Lane Expansion to Benefit Bronx Residents
One of the most anticipated features of the redesign is the half-mile bus lane expansion, which will benefit five bus routes serving thousands of Bronx residents. The new bus lane connects with the 181st Street busway in Manhattan and the Edward L. Grant Highway bus lanes in the Bronx.
Frank Annicaro, Senior Vice President of NYC Transit Buses, emphasized the project’s positive impact: “Dedicated bus lanes will bring faster and more reliable service for the thousands of Upper Manhattan and Bronx residents using this key thoroughfare every day.”
Community Leaders and Advocates Applaud the Project
The redesign has been met with praise from local leaders, who see it as a significant step toward improving transit access for Bronx residents. State Sen. Robert Jackson hailed the transformation, noting the project’s potential to “unify our neighborhoods and elevate the quality of our transit from the Bronx to Manhattan.”
Council Member Carmen De La Rosa also highlighted the importance of the safety improvements, especially in light of recent cyclist fatalities on the bridge.
“Earlier this year, cyclists lost their lives on this bridge, underlying the immense need for safety upgrades like protected bike lanes,” said De La Rosa. “We will continue to hone in on these unsafe corridors to explore additional solutions that allow pedestrians, cyclists, and commuters alike to share our streets with confidence.”
We just completed a MAJOR redesign of the Washington Bridge!
This project features a new bus lane & a two-way protected bike lane, making it safer & easier for the 68,000 daily bus riders & ~900 daily cyclists using this vital connection between Manhattan & the Bronx. pic.twitter.com/aSfHo35C5n
— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) September 16, 2024
