The New York State Department of Transportation is paving the way for the complete revitalization of three Bronx overpasses as part of an infrastructure restoration project.
The three overpasses include the Lafayette Avenue Bridge over the Throgs Neck Expressway, the Pennyfield Avenue Bridge, and the Castle Hill Avenue Bridge overlooking Bruckner Boulevard.
Each are undergoing restoration efforts and are being worked on by the contractor group, DeFoe Corp of Mount Vernon, New York.
“We’re replacing the existing concrete decks of the bridges on Lafayette Avenue, Pennyfield Avenue and Castle Hill Avenue and also installing new lighting above and below the decks,” explained Diane Park, NYSDOT – Region 11 public information officer.
“The key element for this project is about improving the infrastructure and it will have a positive impact for motorists within these communities. The new bridge decks will provide a smooth riding surface and they will remain within a great state of repair for the many years to come.”
According to Park, the investment for this project totals approximately $12.5 million.
In addition to the overpass reconstruction efforts, a new traffic signal adjunct to Pennyfield Avenue will be installed at the intersection of Lawton and Prentiss avenues. The project was awarded to the contractors this past January and is set for a projected completion date of spring 2016.
DeFoe Corp was established in 1946 and since then has garnered a respected reputation for their timeliness and craftsmanship.
Their extensive resume includes such successful major borough projects as the Cross Bronx-Bruckner Interchange, the Throgs Neck Bridge, the Whitestone Bridge, the West Fordham Road Bridge over the Major Deegan Expressway and Metro North Railroad, and the Deegan Expressway entrance ramp at West Fordham Road.
NYSDOT also noted the Major Deegan Expressway is slated for rehabilitation.
The $125 million project will focus on the reconstruction of the elevated highway structure from East 138th Street to the Macombs Dam Bridge, near Yankee Stadium.
According to NYSDOT, the reconstruction includes improving seven ramps along the expressway, replacing 330,000 square feet of concrete deck and installing a new center median.
New energy efficient LED lighting systems will be installed to enhance visibility and safety on the elevated roadway, better illuminated lane markings on the mainline I-87 roadway, replacing the outermost steel and making substructural repairs, upgrading and repairing the drainage system, installing seven single-span sign structures with new signage, and adding a new permanent Variable Message Sign on the southbound lane to provide real-time traffic information as well as general information to motorists.
These improvements will also enhance the environment along Exterior Street, which runs alongside the highway.
Corrective maintenance to 62 bridges in the Bronx and New York counties was awarded to Kiska Construction, Inc of Long Island, New York on Saturday, November 15. This project’s anticipated completion date has been established for early 2018.
Kiska Construction Corporation-USA was formed in 1987 and is well-known for constructing water and transportation system shafts and tunnels in addition to restoring bridges, industrial facilities, and highway overpasses.
The firm has worked on some notable borough projects particularly the Sheridan Expressway and the Bruckner Expressway.
