Governor Hochul Advances Transformative Clean Transportation Projects in the Bronx, Reducing Congestion and Improving Public Health
Governor Hochul Advances Transformative Clean Transportation ... ny.gov
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Hunts Point Access Improvement Project
Overseen by the New York State Department of Transportation, the Hunts Point project will provide direct access to the Hunts Point Terminal Market from both the Bruckner Expressway and the new Sheridan Boulevard. The Hunts Point Terminal Market and other produce companies near the facility are a vital economic engine for the Bronx, generating more than $2 billion in annual economic activity. More than 78,000 vehicles travel to the Hunts Point Peninsula daily, including 13,000 trucks using local roads, which has contributed to poor air quality in the community.
Phase Two
Phase Two of the project began in the spring of 2021 and was originally scheduled to be complete in the fall of this year. This phase, which has cost less than the original $518 million contract award, rehabilitated 1.25 miles of the Bruckner Expressway between 141st Street and Barretto Street, widening the roadway and providing new entrance and exit ramps that connect westbound Bruckner Expressway to Leggett Avenue. The ramps provide a direct route between the highway network and the Hunts Point Peninsula, including the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center, reducing truck traffic on local streets.
Additionally, a 1.75-mile section of Bruckner Boulevard between Cypress Ave and Barretto Street was reconstructed, and 15 local intersections upgraded. Improvements include new or upgraded curbs, medians, sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic signals. A new, 1.5-mile shared-use path provides a connection to the 138th Street bike path heading to Randall’s Island, Manhattan, and Bronx River Greenway. Three New York City Park islands were also be improved, with trees planted and a new decorative steel fence added along Bruckner Boulevard.
Phase One
Today’s announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s announcement last October that Phase One of the project was completed on time and under budget. Phase One provided new and improved access to Edgewater Road in the form of three new ramps: a two-way ramp to Edgewater Road from Sheridan Boulevard and a ramp from eastbound Bruckner Expressway to Edgewater Road. Edgewater Road was also resurfaced, and new traffic signals were installed at Seneca Avenue and Garrison Avenue.
Garrison Park was transformed with a new shared-use path, landscaping, viewing platforms overlooking the river and a formal entrance area with a signalized rail crossing and traffic signal, giving residents safer and more seamless access to the Bronx River. Additionally, a new shared-use path was constructed under the Bruckner Expressway to link the new Garrison Park with the existing Concrete Plant Park, with five security cameras installed along the new path to enhance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists while connecting to the Bronx River Greenway.
The Bronx River Avenue viaduct was also rehabilitated, and more than 15,000 square feet of community “Bronx River Open Space” was created under the viaduct. The project also replaced the eastern span of the Bryant Avenue pedestrian bridge over Amtrak/CSX rail lines. In addition, Phase One replaced four bridges that carry the Bruckner Expressway and Bruckner Boulevard over Amtrak/CSX rail lines.
Phase Three
The third and final phase, which is ongoing, will remove a notorious bottleneck by reconstructing the Bruckner Expressway/Sheridan Boulevard interchange and relocating the entrance ramp to northbound Sheridan Boulevard from the left side of the highway to the right side. The addition of a third lane in each direction of the Bruckner Expressway and the replacement of the Bryant Ave Pedestrian Bridge, both of which were started in earlier phases of the project, will also be completed. Additionally, the intersection of Hunts Point Avenue and Bruckner Boulevard will be reconstructed to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety. New signing and pavement markings will also be installed to better direct auto, truck and pedestrian traffic within the Hunts Point Peninsula.
Additionally, a new 117-spot parking lot with 24 electric vehicle charging stations, including four rapid charge spots to better accommodate electric vehicles, will be constructed under the Bruckner Expressway and help enhance air quality in the South Bronx. The project is on schedule to be completed in the fall of 2025.
$10 Million Commitment for Clean Transportation
Programs to fulfill today’s $10 million announcement will be implemented under current and future funding opportunities available later this year through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS).
NYSERDA
NYSERDA will allocate $3 million from Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction proceeds and the State’s 10-year, $6 billion Clean Energy Fund to help implement all-electric mobility options that connect residents to transit by investing in innovative, community-identified solutions and demonstration projects. The programs will build on previous innovative transportation initiatives to build electrification and mobility options, such as the New York Clean Transportation Prizes funded through the Public Service Commission (PSC). The additional clean transportation funding opportunities for the Bronx and disadvantaged communities throughout New York State will be available through the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act, which includes $500 million to help school districts transition to zero-emission buses.
NYPA
NYPA will dedicate $2 million under its EVolveNY initiative, a high-speed, open-access charging network that has installed fast chargers in key locations along primary travel corridors and in urban areas to make it easier for more New Yorkers to drive EVs.
DPS
DPS anticipates $1 million in EV Make-Ready incentives could be leveraged to support a total of 1,400 kW of fast charging at two locations.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
- SDG 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article
- Air quality in the community
- Number of vehicles traveling to the Hunts Point Peninsula daily
- Number of trucks using local roads
- Length of rehabilitated road sections
- Number of new entrance and exit ramps
- Number of upgraded intersections
- Presence of new or upgraded curbs, medians, sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic signals
- Length of shared-use paths
- Number of trees planted
- Presence of a new decorative steel fence
- Completion of project phases on time and under budget
- Number of improved bridges and viaducts
- Number of parking spots and electric vehicle charging stations
- Amount of funding allocated for clean transportation programs
- Number of all-electric mobility options implemented
- Number of fast chargers installed
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | – Air quality in the community – Number of deaths and illnesses related to pollution and contamination |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. | – Length of rehabilitated road sections – Number of new entrance and exit ramps – Number of upgraded intersections – Presence of new or upgraded curbs, medians, sidewalks, crosswalks, and traffic signals – Number of improved bridges and viaducts |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities, and older persons. | – Number of vehicles traveling to the Hunts Point Peninsula daily – Number of trucks using local roads – Length of shared-use paths – Number of parking spots and electric vehicle charging stations |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | – Completion of project phases on time and under budget – Presence of a new decorative steel fence |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | – Number of trees planted |
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Source: governor.ny.gov
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