DOT: Pulaski Bridge Bikeway Will Open By End of April

pulaski_fence
The steel fence will extend over the drawbridge section of the Pulaski, protecting the new bikeway. Photo: Jon Orcutt

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:

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.

  • Jules1

    Great news!

  • Finally the Streetfilm I have been waiting over 5 years to do will come to fruition.

  • Bluewndrpwrmlk96

    Finally, a project reached completion. One down, a thousand more to go!

  • BBnet3000

    The saving grace with these delays is that it gave them time to connect the bridge to the comfortable cycling network.

    Or not.

  • Kevin Love

    Looking forward to it! And thank you again for all your brilliant and useful film work.

  • philsturgeon

    Oh thank f**k, I’ve been elbowed by more than enough pedestrians on that bridge to be excited about this.

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