Construction of the Pulaski Bridge bike path is slated to finish at the end of April, according to a DOT spokesperson. As DOT’s bridge division puts together the finishing touches, specifics of the new design are coming to light, including how the bike lane will negotiate the drawbridge section of the Pulaski.
On most of the bridge, the bike lane will be separated from motor vehicle traffic by concrete barriers. The concrete transitions to metal railings near the drawbridge section. Currently, there is no railing on the drawbridge itself, but DOT says that's coming soon.
TransitCenter’s Jon Orcutt tweeted pictures of the new railings yesterday:
Pulaski Br: 2nd sexn of steel fence being assembled, looks like it will be bike lane barrier on drawbridge segment pic.twitter.com/Hx8YiSpLG2
— Jon Orcutt (@jonorcutt) February 21, 2016
Like four of the five other bridges that span Newtown Creek, the Pulaski is a “trunnion-type bascule” bridge, meaning leaves on each side of its midway point are raised via axles. When DOT studied the feasibility of a protected bike lane on the bridge, how to build effective protection on the drawbridge portion was a particular concern.
The DOT spokesperson confirmed that the project is nearly complete, save for “rail installation, signage and catch basin repair amongst other items.” There has not been a date set for the official opening.
